What Parents Need to Know About Literacy

• Phonics and Syllables

Early reading begins with an understanding of phonics and syllables. Children first learn the letters and sounds of the written language and then combine the sounds to make syllables. Memorizing common syllables like word families, prefixes, and suffixes can help children become more efficient readers.

• Decoding Strategies

Decoding refers to one’s ability to look at a word and sound it out or break it down to decipher its meaning. When children are learning to read, and even as they are practicing as they get older, decoding is an important skill to help make sense of written language. Here are some helpful hints for you and your child to use as you decode.

• Fluency

Fluency is the word that refers to how quickly and accurately a child can read. A fluent reader recognizes high frequency words by sight, uses decoding strategies efficiently for new words, and reads smoothly, heeding all punctuation. A fluent reader also reads accurately. This means that your child should not just rush through reading, but

instead should make sure that they are

self-correcting any errors and reading with

expression in their voice. In kindergarten

through second grade fluency is a big focus

in reading instruction.

• Vocabulary

As children learn to read they are also learning new words. As parents it is important to work with your children to make sure that they understand the meaning of the new vocabulary they encounter as they read. Beyond the words on the page, students also need to know academic vocabulary, such as the characters, setting, or plot of a text.

• Comprehension

Being fast and accurate are not the only important characteristics of a good reader. Students must be able to understand what they are reading. As teachers and parents it is our job to stop and check that children are making sense of what they read. We should ask them questions about their reading and engage in frequent conversations about the stories we enjoy.

Question Ideas for Quality Reading Time…

Before

o What is this title of the book?

o What do you think this book is going to be about?

o Who is the author of this story?

During

o What does this word mean?

o What do you think will happen next?

o Where do the characters live?

After

o What happened in the story?

o What was your favourite part?

o How did you feel when _____ happened?

o Does this story remind you of anything that happened to you?