Helping Your Child To Read And Write

In many elementary classrooms, opportunities to write more than a few sentences at a time are infrequent, so it is critical that you create an environment that encourages writing at home. Several elements need to be present. First, make sure there are plenty of pencils, pens, and paper around the house. If you have a computer, give your child access to its word processing program (or purchase a program designed for youngsters). If possible, give your child his own table or desk where he can write away, from TVs, radios, stereos, and other distractions. Offer encouragement and praise for his efforts. A place where you make a proud display of his writings-on the refrigerator door or a bulletin board- is a must.

Most important of all, make sure your child spends time writing every day. Homework obviously represents one opportunity. Chances are good in the first few years of school, however, that homework assignments will not be enough, especially if they consist mainly of work sheets that take only minutes to complete. Beginning writers need more sustained efforts

With little effort, you will have no trouble coming up with different ways to give your budding writer additional practice. Have him send letters, notes, and cards to relatives. (Some lined stationary with your child’s name printed across the top may provide inspiration.) He can make labels, name tags, and place cards for use in the house. When the kids put on a play or gymnastics show, suggest that they make invitations and write out a program. Ask your child to help you write down the grocery list. He can also write telephone messages or other notes while you dictate. (A bulletin board where family members leave messages for each other is a great aid for reading and writing.

The older your child gets, the more opportunities there are for him to put his thoughts on paper in lucid, creative ways. Urge him to take part in elective school activities such as writing for the student newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine. Look for writing contests that feature children’s work. Groups that your child belongs to (an astronomy club, soccer league, and scouts) may have writing needs – everything from invitations to meeting minutes to newsletters. Look around for publications to which you and your child can contribute together, such as you church bulletin or neighborhood association newsletter Local charities sometimes need volunteer writers, too.

Learning words meanings helps writing, reading, and speaking skills. Keep tabs on the vocabulary your child is assigned in school. (If he comes home with no word lists, talk with the teacher about how vocabulary is learned and tested.) You may want to call out the words so that he can use them in sentences and write definitions. Make flash cards with a word on one side and its definition on the other, if that helps.

Bring new words to your child’s attention. Some families choose a “word for the day” or “word for the week” to practice using. Encourage your child to look up unfamiliar words he encounters while reading.

We cannot expect young children to develop an interest in writing if they do not witness those activities taking place on a regular basis. But where, outside school, are they going to see others spending time with books, pencils, and paper? Not on the playground, not at the mall. Sure not in the movie theaters or in front of a TV screen. It has to be in the home. Children need to observer family members in the act of reading and writing, if they are going to develop an inclination to do these things, too. Do not underestimate the effect of you example. In these most basic academic activities, the behavior you model has a direct and lasting impact.

Article Source: http://www.parentingarticlelibrary.com

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