Simple ways parents can be literacy leaders at home

Artika Tyner

LEADERS ARE READERS

Join Planting People Growing Justice every first Saturday for the Leaders Are Readers program for intergenerational reading circles that bring children and families together through storytelling and interactive activities, plus a free lunch and book giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jimmy Lee Recreational Center. For more information, visit www.ppgjli.org.

Audio

Simple ways parents can be literacy leaders at home_Artika Tyner.mp3

According to data sourced from the Statewide Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), nearly 54 percent of third graders are not proficient in reading. This staggering statistic has dropped for the fourth consecutive year. As First Educators, parents and our community have a major role to play in improving this statistic. They can do this by taking on a leadership role by promoting literacy at home. This does not require professional certification; instead, it incorporates literacy-enhancing habits in Minnesota homes on a daily basis.

In a conversation with Felix Larbi Appiah, a community development practitioner, he outlines simple methods through which our community can get involved in equipping their children with the skills needed to improve their reading proficiency.

Q: Do First Educators require a curriculum to support their child’s reading proficiency?

A: All a parent needs to do is to enforce repeatable habits such as reading signposts and T-shirt inscriptions together, reading a cereal box, and engaging in storytelling. These activities, among others, aim to normalize reading in homes and build a family tradition that improves literacy.

Q: What are some of the practices worth adopting?

A: Books should be a mainstay in every home. Every home should have at least 25 age-appropriate, culturally relevant books. If parents are literate, children learn a great deal from them, as they tend to emulate their parents’ actions. A child is therefore more likely to be seen reading a book if their parent is an ardent reader and proud bibliophile. Stronger family bonds can be built by sharing experiences found in books; for example, visiting the local zoo to see and learn more about flamingos after reading a book about them. Children’s interest will be heightened as they connect reading to real-life experiences.

Q: Reading sometimes feels like a chore; how can First Educators make it more enjoyable?

A: I suggest that parents allow their children to participate in the book selection process. They should provide guidance to ensure selected books are age-appropriate and reflect who the children are as individuals. Children growing up in the same home may have different personalities and, as such, generic books without the children’s input may mean one child develops an interest in reading while another does not because they cannot see themselves in the characters.

Q: Can a parent still be involved if they are not confident readers themselves?

A: Unfortunately, a high number of First Educators cannot read either. This, however, does not stop them from supporting their child’s literacy journey. They can adopt activities such as looking at pictures together and discussing them, listening to audiobooks instead of reading bedtime stories, or encouraging the child to read to them. Mind you, the parent does not need to be the strongest reader in the room but must be a willing participant in helping build their child’s literacy skills.

A Call to Action
“First Educator: refers to the fundamental primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals and behaviors.”

First Educators can promote reading and language development through these literacy-building activities:

• Read-aloud exercises: Start a daily read-aloud exercise for 10 minutes. You, as the First Educator, can go first, and the child follows suit.

• Child participation: For one week a month, allow your child the freedom to pick a book of their choice. Discuss the book thoroughly and ask what informed the choice of this book.

• Home Library: Keep a home library. Making books visible in the home can serve as a catalyst for reading.

• Encourage Discussion through open-ended questions: After watching a television show or reading a book, start a discussion. Ask an open-ended question aimed at starting an interactive session.

• Build vocabulary through daily learning: Challenge your child to introduce you to one new vocabulary word a day. They may or may not understand it, but it will be a learning opportunity for everyone involved.

Being an active parent is an important part of ensuring a child’s reading proficiency. Adopting these activities and others can support children’s cognitive development.

Through her organization, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, Dr. Artika Tyner offers resources to foster literacy and education.