Parent involvement is one of the most important factors in determining early literacy success and future academic achievement. However, despite the importance of reading, there is a significant number of literate individuals in the United States who do not engage in regular reading. According to a 2007 report by the National Endowment for the Arts, there are more literate people in the United States who don't read than those who are actually illiterate. This is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed in order to ensure the future success of our children.
One way to change this pattern is to increase parent involvement in their child's literacy development. Research has shown that parents who are actively engaged in their child's reading, writing and language development, have children who perform better in school and have a stronger foundation for future academic success. This can be done through reading with children, providing books and reading materials at home, and encouraging a love of reading and learning.
Another important aspect of improving literacy rates is to provide children with access to high-quality education and reading instruction. This includes providing children with access to age-appropriate books and materials, trained teachers, and a curriculum that is focused on reading and writing skills. Additionally, it is important to provide children with opportunities to engage in reading and writing outside of the classroom, through summer reading programs, book clubs, and other activities.
Ultimately, the key to improving literacy rates in the United States is to increase parent involvement and provide children with access to high-quality education and reading instruction. By working together, parents, educators and community leaders can ensure that our children have the literacy skills they need to be successful in school and in life.
PreK/Early Childhood Development Domains
The critical role of parent involvement in early literacy development and future academic success is well-established. However, a 2007 report by the National Endowment for the Arts revealed a concerning trend of literate individuals in the United States who do not engage in reading. To change this pattern for future generations, educators and parents must work together to provide young children with the necessary tools and experiences to develop their imagination, social skills, and physical abilities. Play-based curriculum, which emphasizes the importance of social-emotional skills such as anger management, problem-solving, and empathy, is crucial for young children's development. Pre-K teachers play a vital role in this process by providing children with opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills through activities such as cutting, drawing, sorting, painting, and writing. Kindergarten teachers also benefit from the foundation laid by pre-K teachers and the skills they develop in their students.
The cognitive development of early literacy skills is crucial for children's success in today's society.
The focus of recent preK research has been on understanding how cognitive development in early childhood is related to parent involvement in preK literacy development.
Historically, early literacy research has emphasized the importance of daily adult-child reading time and access to a large number of books in the home as key factors in a child's readiness and success in kindergarten. However, more recent studies have shown that simply reading to children is not enough to develop strong pre-literacy skills. Instead, children need to be given more specific skills and guidance while being read to in order to develop the early literacy skills necessary for success in school. Despite these findings, many parents and educators are still not aware of the importance of active parent involvement in early literacy development and the specific skills that children need to learn in order to succeed.
Effective Parental Engagement: Key Components of Early Literacy Development
Parent involvement in early literacy plays a critical role in a child's academic success. Research has shown that children who have parents who actively participate in their literacy development have a greater chance of achieving success in reading and writing. However, it is not enough for parents to simply read to their children. There are specific skills and strategies that parents can use to help their children develop strong literacy skills.
- One important strategy is for parents to point to each word on the page as they read. This helps children make connections between the print, story, and illustrations. It also helps build their tracking skills, which are essential for moving from one line of text to the next.
- Another strategy is for parents to read the title of a book and ask their child to make a prediction about the story. Both beginning and seasoned readers need to practice making predictions before reading. This helps children preview the story and become more engaged in the reading process.
- Parents can also take "picture walks" with their children, using the illustrations in a book to tell the story before reading. This helps children understand the story before they begin reading, and helps build their comprehension skills.
- Another important aspect of parent involvement in early literacy is modeling fluency while reading. Parents should bring energy and excitement to their reading, and help their children practice varying pitch, intonation, and proper fluctuations when reading aloud. For older readers, shared reading (taking turns) can be an effective strategy.
- After reading a book, parents should ask their children questions to help them understand the story and build their comprehension skills. Parents can also help their children connect reading and writing by having them dictate stories to a parent, who can write them down. This helps children make connections between reading, writing, and storytelling.
Finally, parents can help their children develop higher-order thinking skills by having them compare and contrast their understanding of different stories and concepts. By connecting reading, writing, and discussion in daily literacy practices, parents can help their children develop a well-rounded and balanced approach to literacy.
Parent involvement in early literacy is a crucial factor in a child's academic success. The strategies outlined in this essay, such as pointing to each word on the page, making predictions, taking "picture walks", modeling fluency, asking questions and connecting reading and writing, can all be used to help children navigate the early stages of literacy development. However, it is important to note that while these strategies are helpful, they are not a substitute for professional guidance from trained reading and phonics teachers. That's why Learn with Koala is a great option for parents, as our team of excellent reading and phonics teachers will work with your child to help them develop these critical literacy skills in a fun and engaging way. With Learn with Koala, your child will not only be on the path to literacy success, but will also have a blast doing it! You can find and book those classes on this page.
Happy Learning!
