Guidance For Parents

Introduction Before your child starts to attend school During your child's years in primary education Speaking and listening Reading Writing General

Introduction

This information aims to support parents in the good work that they already do in preparing their children for formal education and supporting them throughout the primary years.

The key message is the importance of establishing a positive working partnership with your child's school so that all are working together co-operatively to enable your child to make the most of his/her years in school and to achieve his/her full potential.

Good literacy skills are vitally important because they open up access to all types of learning.

Children who are literate can learn about science, history, geography and all other subjects by being able to access written material in books and other sources.

They can enjoy reading fiction and poetry, escaping into imaginary worlds and developing their knowledge and understanding of new words to enrich their own language.

If they speak confidently and clearly they are able to discuss topics and express their own views clearly.

If they write well they can share information and create their own narrative and poetry in response to their experiences taking pride in what they have written.

Parents and carers are usually keen to help and support their child in the development of their literacy skills.

This is a brief guide for parents and carers as to how they can best support their children in the development of these key skills.

Literacy demands a whole range of skills that include:

• speaking and listening
• reading
• writing

Before your child starts to attend school

• Give your child as many rich experiences as you can, visiting people and places and talk to them about these experiences
• Play with your child and give him/her the opportunity to play with other children whenever possible
• Talk to and with your child frequently, listening and responding to his/her questions and comments. Explain and discuss what you are doing
• Sing songs and sing/say nursery rhymes with your child
• Enjoy books together - nurture a love and respect for books so that your child treats them well and enjoys listening to the stories, sharing the pictures and talking about the scenes and characters
• Be a good role model as a writer. Let your child see you writing, for example, lists, notes and letters
• Provide materials (pens, paint, paper, pencils, chalks, boards, sand) so that your child can 'play' at writing
• Work with those who provide pre-school education for your child. This may be a private or school nursery or a child minder. Attend any meetings and interviews and ensure that you are fully aware as to what is being provided for your child so that you can support and develop them at home

During your child's years in primary education

• Most importantly, follow the guidance provided by your child's school.
  The people there want to work with you to make sure that your child enjoys school and learns well so that he/she can achieve his/her full potential
• If you have any concerns always share these with the school at the earliest opportunity so that they can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction
• Attend all meetings and open days so that you are well informed about how the school works and how well your child is doing

Speaking and listening

• Talk with your child - explain things, discuss what you are doing and encourage conversation (with more then one-word answers!)
• Develop your child's curiosity by encouraging him/her to ask questions. Speaking and listening helps children with everything they do in school

Reading

• Read with and to your child frequently and regularly. This should not stop because your child becomes able to read independently. You can help them to access an increasing range of different texts (fiction and non-fiction) and authors. As well as giving enjoyment and information, this helps them to develop their writing skills. They pick up writing tips from good authors
• Talk about why things happened and what might happen next. How did the book make your child feel? Why?
• Be a good role model. Show that you enjoy reading
• Visit the library with your child to borrow books for them to read and for you to read to them.
• Provide opportunities for your child to read in different contexts, e.g. newspapers, magazines, instructions in recipes, games and model making, signs and information on trips to shops, museums, libraries etc
• The school reading book is not the only source of reading material. Neither is it necessarily a measure of your child's progress. His/her fluency and level of understanding are more effective indicators than where he/she is on the reading scheme

Writing

• When your child is ready to write show him/her how to write lower case letters, following guidance provided by the school. (Schools normally make contact with parents before children start to let them know how they can prepare them for school and this usually includes a sharing of the handwriting script)
• Only use capital letters at the beginnings of names and sentences
• Provide opportunities for your child to write at home, e.g. 'thank you' letters, lists
• Be a good role model. Show how you value and use your ability as a writer
• Play word games with your child, e.g. Scrabble, I spy
• Do not be over critical if your child struggles to spell some words. Remember that he/she is learning to spell. Continuous criticism can result in a child becoming reluctant to write
• If you think your child is having problems with spelling talk to his/her teacher to find out how the school is teaching spelling and what you can do to help

General

• Support your child in completion of homework, making sure that it is done by the deadline
• Make sure they have a quiet place where they can work at home
• If they need help do give it but do not do the work for them. If they are having real difficulty let the teacher know
• Give your child lots of praise and encouragement whenever you can, e.g. when they have read well, when you have seen good work or had good reports about their progress and attitude to work

Children take part in national testing at the ages of 7 and 11.

The school will tell you about these and report your child's results to you, explaining what they mean.

The important thing to remember is not to make your child over-anxious about these tests.

You can encourage them to do their best, as with all their other work.

It is, however, very important that your child attends school to complete the tests.

Avoid booking family holidays.

The school will keep you informed as to when the tests will be undertaken.