Literacy in action

We can support our tamariki in many ways. Here are some examples of how children are supported within our environment.

"You are your child's Cheer Leaders"

What a delightful way to express how parents can support their children's learning and self esteem! I heard this uttered by a primary school teacher with regards to supporting your new entrant as they start to read school readers.

It was good advice and reminds all of us who are parents, that our children need our support and encouragement as they learn. Give them lots of positive affirmations (the cheers!) about what they CAN and ARE doing well not negative feedback about what they can't yet do.

She added, "Let the teacher be the coach while you cheer from the side lines".

I couldn't agree more because if anyone has the credentials to cheer the best and loudest for your child its got to be you don't you think? Well I know from my own experiences on the sidelines of the soccer field that I have the loudest voice when my child has the ball! LOL!

Jo

Purposeful writing

Children love to imitate adults and writing is no exception. How many times have you seen a littlie park themselves beside mum or dad at the bank or post office and fill out their deposit/withdrawal form? This is literacy in action in the real world. It becomes meaningful and children can see it has a real purpose.



Ideas

*as you write a shopping list let your child write theirs

*write letters/txts/e-mails to family and friends AND post them! (Grandparents love the letters with drawings and beginning writings)

*supply them with their own calendar to mark special events

*have notepads, paper, old envelopes,cellotape, pens, pencils and rubbers available for them

*help them write their own stories maybe even make them into books to share

*If you have an old key board let them play with that so they can role play on the computer at home or work

*Show them how you use your diary or checklists

*let them see you writing notes to remind yourself or others

*record phone messages so they see the connection between the verbal message and the written ones

Play and Literacy

Playing has benefits for children's writing and reading because not only does it broaden children's experiences and knowledge, it also allows for purposeful engagement in literacy activities. Teachers and parents have a critical role in supporting this by providing materials to encourage this.



Children learn about themselves and others through play and being read to. They challenge their thinking, kick start their imaginations, develop greater understanding about their world and the wider world