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Learning Literacy at Home

Opportunities to practise reading and writing are hidden in almost everything we do. Pointing this out helps children to recognise the importance of these skills in everyday life. Here are some ideas:

Writing notes

Use notes around the house. You can both write some, for example, to help your child leave on time for school in the mornings without forgetting her packed lunch box.

Have fun doing this by turning it into a game. Write a list of clues and instructions for something you want your child to do. If there is a prize to be had at the end it makes it even more exciting.

Ask your child to practise spelling by writing the names of everyday equipment and furnishings in your home on some sticky labels. Stick them on.

 

Reading and writing into the task

Cooking or baking? Next time you bake a cake get your child involved. Ask him or her to read out the list of ingredients needed and then to look for them in the cupboard and fridge. They can read the instructions, too!

Going shopping? Ask your child to write a shopping list for what you need to buy (start with the ingredients for that cake you were planning to bake!).

Cleaning out the cupboard? Ask your child to help you sort out the tins, sachets, boxes, cartons, bottles and packets by reading what they contain. 

Bedroom in a mess? Get your child to organise books on the shelf in alphabetical order and to label boxes of toys, puzzles, accessories and other gadgets.

Ordering for home delivery? Show your child why we use directories and other reference books.

two girls writing

Building word awareness

  • Let your child see you reading
  • Let your child see you writing
  • Encourage your child to write her name
  • Regularly listen to your child read and/or read to your child
  • Show your child that words move from left to right
  • Let your child read you his own writing, even if it looks like scribble to you!
  • Help your child make an alphabet scrapbook by cutting out and sticking in pictures from old magazines
  • Pick a letter of the alphabet and go around the house searching for stuff beginning with that letter
  • Buy your child a junior dictionary
  • Talk about the different purposes writing is used for. Point out different types of writing in your home: letters, recipes, posters. Encourage your child to write her own communication, such as letters, notes, birthday cards, and invitations to friends and family
  • Keep a family diary or message board where important dates, reminders and appointments are recorded. Let your child record stuff, too
 

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