As educators, we know that literacy development doesn’t start and stop in the classroom. Extending reading practices into students' homes is crucial to reinforce skills learned at school.
Talking to parents about reading at home is important to help improve their children's reading skills.
Why It's Important for Parents to Read With Their Children
Studies have proven that when parents actively participate in their children's education, especially in reading, it significantly improves academic success.
Recognizing their important role in their child's reading development motivates parents to engage in reading activities with their child at home.
Reading together at home:
- strengthens reading skills
- promotes language development
- nurtures a love of reading
- promotes social-emotional development
- strengthens family bonds
Educators can support parents by providing them with information and tools to create a learning experience that extends beyond the classroom.
Tips for Educators Communicating with Parents: Best Practices
When reaching out to parents about reading at home, it's important to communicate clearly and positively.
Here are a few strategies:
- Give parents a guide on the benefits of reading at home and how to make the most of family reading time.View these one page resources from Reading Rockets.
- If your school hosts family literacy nights, encourage families to attend.
- Send regular updates to inform parents how their child is doing in phonics and what they are learning in the classroom. This will help parents support their child's reading at home.
5 Reading Tips to Share With Parents
Here are five helpful tips to share with parents about using decodable books and promoting reading at home.
1. Create a Regular Reading Routine
Establishing a consistent daily reading time is one of the most effective ways to build reading skills. Choose a set time every day to read. This could be after school, before or after dinner, or as part of the bedtime routine.
2. Engage in the Reading Process
Parents should be active participants during reading time. This means sitting with the child, emphasizing words, and discussing the story. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did the character do that?” to improve comprehension and critical thinking.
3. Praise Efforts, Not Just Success
Parents should praise their child’s effort, not just their ability to read fluently. This helps kids develop a positive mindset towards reading and feel confident about learning.
4. Use Decodables to Reinforce Learning
Decodable books, or decodable readers, are crucial in supporting developing readers. They boost reading confidence and achievement by providing structured practice of the phonics skills they’re learning in class.
Read our Decodables Guide to learn more about the impact of using decodable books.
Just Right Reader Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs extend phonics instruction into the home by providing personalized practice for each student. Parents can use these books to help their child practice the phonics skills they are learning in school.
Each decodable contains a QR codes linking to a short phonics video that reinforces skills from the book. This tool is perfect for families to watch and learn alongside their child.
5. Make Reading Fun and Interactive
Recommend that parents vary the reading materials and make reading fun. This could involve using different voices for characters. It could also mean finding more books on topics the child enjoys. Creating a cozy reading nook can make reading enjoyable and memorable.
