Parents want to support their children's literacy and are able to do so in a variety of ways.  Below are some suggestions that will enable your child to be a better reader and writer:

• Read lots of books. Volume of books read has a direct correlation to reading success

• Read a variety of books. by reading a wide range of genre (fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, narratives, how to books, comics, magazines, etc.) children are able to improve their vocabulary and enhance their general understanding of the world in which they live

• Discuss their readings with them, have them retell the story, ask their opinion of their reading and ask them to substantiate this opinion with details from their reading

• Engage your child in thoughtful dialogue, probe their thinking

• Have your child write for a variety of reasons (letters, lists, notes, memoirs, diary or journal entries, etc.)

• Why? is a great question to ask regularly

• Get your child a library card and visit it weekly

• Do lots of things together and discuss them among yourselves

• Model reading and writing by showing your child how much you, too, enjoy these activities

• Have your child listen to taped stories, stories you tell aloud, and/or stories you read aloud and discuss them together