Helping parents help their children read

This week my school had a parent training to support literacy. Parents are essential to children’s success in reading. Parent involvement is a primary predictor of success throughout school – including literacy. This is true for very young children before entering school and remains true well into high (secondary) school.

The training covered some of the ways a parent or other adult can help including:
  • Reading to children
  • Asking children to make predictions about a story
  • Asking children how they would feel in the story or when they were in a similar situation
  • Asking children other questions about the text
  • Practice with alphabet and phonics
  • Practice with sight words

Of course these and others methods are the same ones we use in school.

The meeting started with some research background about the importance of parental involvement for early and continued success of children in school.

The principle started the meeting with encouragement

Reading with expression and getting the child involved in the story is a good way to encourage a love of reading and good reading comprehension. Simply things like asking the child to make a prediction based on a picture or to have the child recall something similar in their experience are great ways to increase comprehension. What is the point, where is the value, the fun and excitement in reading if one doesn’t understand and comprehend?

Demonstration of active reading

Practicing and games related to letters, letter sounds, and sight words help with the decoding and basic reading. Replacing the chore and frustration of reading with confidence and joy allows the child to move to reading for knowledge and enjoyment.

Flashcards, even ones made from cereal and cracker boxes, help improve basic skills. Reading the box at the breakfast table before it is empty and cut
up also works. Short, easy activities and games scattered throughout the day are better than long boring drills.

Parents and teachers making learning aids

I mainly served a support role during this session and contributed the use of my computer and computer skills. I spoke up a few times, but it was very nice not to be front and center. In point of fact – Peace Corps promotes such support, rather than always taking the lead in things. We are not here so much to solve problems and bring canned solutions. Rather we provide information, options, and support so that people can effectively make sustainable improvements while we serve and after we depart.


Love always,
John

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