Heritage Elementary School urges parents to ‘build readers, build leaders’
MADISON – No one can argue about the importance of reading for a child’s education. Heritage Elementary School is offering an easy-to-do set of daily habits that can broaden a child’s joy of reading.
The “Building Readers. Building Leaders” program that the Heritage staff has compiled takes a child throughout the day, all the way to bedtime to seize reading growth. The steps suggest that children can “grow big words through everyday conversations.”
“Did you know that one of the best ways to help your child become a stronger reader doesn’t require a worksheet or a lesson? The program asks and answers with ‘Talk with them!’” Children build vocabulary by hearing rich language in context.
The more words they know, the easier it becomes to understand what they read. These scenarios exemplify the ease in which a parent can ask questions to cause the child to respond. Try these simple conversation starters:
• At the grocery store – “What do you notice about these fruits? Which one would you describe as ‘juicy,’ ‘ripe’ or ‘crunchy’?”
• Riding in the car – “What was the most interesting part of your day? Why was it interesting?”
• While eating dinner – ““Tell me about something that surprised you today.”
• Walking or spending time outside — “What are you observing here today? Can you describe it using three different words?”
• After reading together — “What was your favorite word in the story? What do you think it means? Can you use it in a sentence?”
• At bedtime – “What are you looking forward to doing tomorrow? Why does that interest you?”
Remember: you don’t have to use ‘big’ words all at once. A parent/ guardian can introduce one or two new words each day. Then, talk about the meanings to help the child’s vocabulary to grow over time.
Every conversation gives an opportunity for the child to learn and to expand his or her vocabulary.
An easy challenge for a parent to take each day is to teach the child one new word. This practice will not only increase the child’s vocabulary but will improve the child’s reading skills.
For more information, visit Facebook/ Heritage Elementary School.
