Parent Resources for Literacy
Reading instruction typically centers around 5 big areas: phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency with text. I have organized the following links around those 5 ideas. I added a category regarding sight words, as this tends to be an area in which parents can easily help at home. At the bottom, you will find links for parents whose children are struggling with reading. I hope you find these resources helpful!
Phonemic AwarenessPhonemic Awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate the sound structure of language. These are the most foundational skills that children must acquire in order to become successful readers and writers. Click here for fun games to help your child with these skills: www.begintoread.com/articles/phonemic-awareness.html
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Alphabetic PrincipleAlphabetic Principle includes alphabet recognition and knowing the sounds associated with each letter (phonics). Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds is critical to become literate. Click here for more: www.readingrockets.org/article/347/
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VocabularyResearch shows that children who acquire a substantial vocabulary are not only more successful at reading, but also able to think more deeply, express themselves better, and learn new things more quickly. Click here for 9 ways to help your child increase vocabulary: www.parade.com/50557/jmarquez/9-smart-ways-to-help-build-your-childs-vocabulary/
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ComprehensionComprehension is understanding what one readers. Click here for suggestions on what to do before, during, and after reading in order help your child comprehend the text: childparenting.about.com/od/elementaryreadin1/a/comprehension.htm
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FluencyThis article explains briefly what fluency is and why it is necessary for good reading. It offers simple ideas on how to build a child's fluency: www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/fluency
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Sight WordsA perfect, brief explanation of why children need to learn to recognize some words by sight (and not have to sound them out). Also contains lists of words kids should learn each year: www.kidzone.ws/dolch/index.htm
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