Parents Case - Child Literacy Development

Parents support their child literacy development by using real and meaningful language. This will build a solid literacy foundation that supports children's to become excited readers and writers. Parents usually start by reading aloud to their child on a regular basis by using picture books with intriguing characters, warm plots, and beautiful illustrations. Children learn to enjoy the sound of written language, turning pages, noticing print characteristics and realizing that print has many meanings.

I find when reading aloud to children, it is best to show enthusiasm and involve the children in the story. One suggestion is to read a story before or after nap time, or just before a child goes to bed, and make sure that they can see the text as you read to them. You might have children predict what will happen next, discuss a part of the story or give an oral response to some words or phrases in the story. Children also love hearing the same book read over and over.

When my children were little I sang to them several times each day. If I did not know the song I looked at the song book in the same way we read a story. As they grew older, they sang along with us. I feel this will promote a child's oral language development and, later, their written language development. Therefore, on a personal level, I would recommend that parents sing songs as well as read from books.

Needless to say, buying books can be expensive. Many parents check out books from the public library and hunt for bargains at thrift shops and garage sales. You can also make inexpensive books by simply folding and stapling paper together. We sometimes ask children to draw pictures or paste pictures cut from magazines on the blank pages. We then write a sentence on each page about the children's favorite things. As they grow older, they can dictate their own sentences or, once they are capable, write their own words and sentences. We have also produced homemade books by copying favorite poems, nursery rhymes and songs. These are the many strategies to incorporate literacy in children.

Parents and child care workers can support children's early literacy development by using real and purposeful language. Doing so builds the solid literacy foundation that supports children's later development and enables them to become joyful readers and writers.

Some of the additional benefits of family literacy programs has identified four major benefits of family literacy programs: 1) children benefit through higher levels of literacy and academic achievement; 2) parents benefit through literacy development and parenting skills; 3) families benefit through greater emotional closeness and involvement in education; 4) society benefits through positively affecting health, nutrition, unemployment, poverty, and reduced risk-behaviors (Rasinki, 2000).