What is a Literacy-Rich Household?
Although we typically think of school as the primary educational environment, your home also plays an irreplaceable role in your child’s learning. Research has shown that students from literacy-rich households have larger vocabularies, greater background knowledge, enhanced oral language skills, stronger comprehension, and superior critical thinking skills. Given the benefits students reap in each successive school year, it is worth asking: What exactly makes a home “literacy-rich?”
Adults who model the importance of literacy. Children need to see adults reading, enjoying, and utilizing physical reading materials including books, magazines, and newspapers. Take the time to speak with your children about what you are reading. Let them know that you can’t wait to start your new book!
Daily reading routines. One of the easiest ways to develop and maintain a new habit is to incorporate it directly into your current schedule and routine. Think about how a reading routine can be an integral part of your family’s daily rhythm; reading at bedtime or after dinner can be a pleasant way to wrap up a busy day. If you have young children who are not reading independently yet, reading aloud to your child enables them to build their listening comprehension, strengthen language development, and acquire knowledge. Students who can read independently may wish to read on their own at home, but they may also enjoy listening to books of greater complexity than they can read independently.
A dedicated reading space. Having a space in your home devoted to reading is an impactful way to show your personal commitment to reading and learning. A dedicated reading space can be any quiet room or even a part of a room that is free from distractions. The space should have good lighting, some pillows or cushions, and easy access to reading material. When children are young, it is best to place books on low shelves or in baskets.
An abundance of reading materials. Providing your children with reading materials in the home is a critical element of a literacy-rich household. Your home should have a variety of reading materials displayed and readily available for the adults and the children. This does not have to be an expensive endeavor. You can stock your home on a regular basis with a variety of high-interest materials from your public library, ensuring that you can consistently provide fresh reading material.
Frequent visits to the library. Children view trips to the library as a great adventure. The children’s departments in public libraries are carefully curated with young readers in mind. Your child will delight in finding books covering the topics and featuring the characters which interest them. Unlike the toy shop, your child can pick as many books as they like, without your saying no. Children are more likely to finish and find enjoyment in books they have selected themselves.
Opportunities to engage in writing activities at home: Reading and writing are reciprocal skills, and practicing both creates synergy for students. The more that students read increasingly complex texts, their ability to express their ideas in writing improves. Likewise, when students learn to write for a variety of purposes, their ability to comprehend more complex texts improves. Since kids naturally love to express themselves, it is important to let them know that their ideas are interesting and worthwhile. For example, you can encourage them to keep a journal, create and illustrate books, make birthday or holiday cards, try their hand at poetry, or write letters to family members.
A dedicated writing, drawing, or homework station for children: To encourage written expression at home, it is helpful to have a place for writing. Any table, surface, or lap desk can serve as a writing space for kids. Keep pens, pencils, crayons, and paper within reach.
Prioritizing each of these action items in your home shows children that reading and writing are fun, useful, and lifelong activities.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.