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Your child's homework is really yours too! I do not assign worksheets or
any other weekly homework except reading to your child a minimum of 20
minutes a day because there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT that you
can do to support your child's literacy development. The 20 minutes can be
spread throughout the day: at breakfast (including cereal box reading), in
the car, bedtime.
Take your child to the library and choose some books together. In addition
to quality story books with beautiful illustrations, include books with
rhyme like Dr. Seuss, number/counting books, alphabet books and information
books about animals, how things work, etc. Remember that young children like
to talk about the pictures as well as listen to the story. To help your
child get the most out of this homework you might try asking a few questions
and make your own comments about the story to encourage your child to make
personal connections.
The following are a few simple, yet effective, ways you can support your
child’s literacy development in addition to the daily reading time together:
-Use alphabet magnets on the refrigerator to support your child's growing
knowledge about the alphabet: sorting shapes, naming letters, letter sounds
and blending letters to make simple words (consonant-vowel-consonant words
like CAN, DOG, MOM, BAT)
-Send a short (neatly printed) note in your child’s lunch box. This is
as exciting as a fortune cookie!
-Write a daily message to your child on the family message board or
note pad you keep at your child’s height on the refrigerator. (EXAMPLE “You
do not go to school today. We can make a tent with a sheet. We can have
lunch today in the tent.”) Read the message to your child. Hunt for
letters that are in your child’s name. Find two words that are the same.
Write a few of the words on little post-it notes and have your child match
them to the words in the message.
-Let your child see you reading and writing for a purpose (birthday card,
shopping list, checkbook, newspaper, recipe, magazine); have paper and
writing utensils available for your child to do the same.
-Give your child the junk mail and newspapers to cut up, hunt for
letters, and to play office.
-Limit your child's tv viewing, and other screen activities (video games,
computer) to 1 - 1 1/2 hours per day and provide open-ended materials that
allow your child to develop creativity and imagination. Enrich your child's
hands-on experiences through outings and activities: visit the zoo,
construction site, a marina, Seattle locks, beach, participate in grocery
list/shopping, playing with other children, sports activities, activities
offered at the library and community center, playing games with family
members, etc.
-If you do choose to have your child do homework in workbooks, please be
sensitive to his/her interest level, keep it playful and STOP if your child
becomes frustrated or looses interest. Your child is a full-time student
this year and needs parent cuddle time and some special time with YOU each
day...Okay, I will get off my soapbox. You can tell I have strong feelings
about the needs of young children.
-Check out my Links for websites with reading activities that your child can
do.
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