From kindergarten through third grade, you may see tremendous growth in your child's literacy development. While your child may receive a lot of educational guidance from teachers, remember that you play a major role in your child's success in reading and writing at every stage of development.

Your Beginning Reader (Grades K-2)

Here are a few things that you can do to help build  your child's literacy skills:

• Let your child gradually share some of the reading aloud. You read a sentence, paragraph, or page, then it’s your child’s turn. Take over if your beginner seems tired or discouraged to ensure that reading is always fun, not just hard work.
• If your child can’t sound out a word, suggest skipping it, reading the rest of the sentence, and deciding what word would make sense.
• Leave notes on the refrigerator or in a lunch bag for your child to discover and read.
• Take your new reader to the library to sign up for his or her own library card.

Try introducing the following types of books to your child:

• Read-aloud books with plots to follow and challenging vocabulary
• Easy-to-read books your child can read alone
• Books in a variety of genres, including nonfiction and poetry

More Resources to Explore:

• Reading Checkup Guide for Beginning Readers
• Tips for Reading Aloud with Elementary School Children
• Choosing Books for Young Children
• Simple Things Families Can Do to Help Their Child Become a Reader
• Problem Areas in Literacy Development 
• Working with Teachers and Schools
• Getting Your Child to Love Reading
• RIF Story Samplers

Your Developing Reader (Grades 2-3)

Here are a few things that you can do to help build  your child's literacy skills:

• When your children read aloud, help them catch and correct their own mistakes by asking guiding questions. For example, you might ask, “Does that word really make sense here? What letter does it start with? What do you think the word could be?”
• Talk about the books you read together and about the books your children are reading on their own.
• Don’t stop reading aloud! Developing readers can read simple chapter books alone, but they still need you to help read the kinds of books that will challenge their thinking and build their vocabulary.
• Suggest that your child read to a younger brother, sister, or neighbor. It will be good practice, a chance to show off skills, and an inspiration for the younger listener.

Try introducing the following types of books to your child:

• Novels for “middle readers” that you can read aloud together
• Information books for young readers
• Books in a variety of genres, including biographies, humorous stories, and poetry

More Resources to Explore:

• Reading Checkup Guide for Developing Readers
• Tips for Reading Aloud with Elementary School Children
• Working with Teachers and Schools
• Creating a Reading Environment at Home
• Encouraging Young Writers
• RIF Reading Planet Online Activities