Current research indicates that children learn best when they are engaged and actively participating in their learning. You may be relieved to know that you don’t always have to sit down and practice flashcards. Use these helpful tips to help your child gain essential reading and writing skills.

1. Read, read, read: Exposure to language and literacy skills is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to promote reading skills. Use a variety of methods to keep the experience fun. You can read aloud, read silently, read with a partner, listen to the book on tape, or record your child’s reading on tape. Your child will enjoy spending time with you, and your active control of reading will increase your child’s skills.

2. Write, write, write: Practice writing about what you read. You can write about your favorite part of the story, rewrite the ending, write a sequel, or create a new story based on the characters. Software is available to help your child create a story with typed text and illustrations. In addition, several companies offer to print and bind your child’s book. Wouldn’t this be a great addition to your family library?

3. Label the environment: Kids who need a boost with sight word recognition, including second language learners, benefit from labeling their environment. Write words, of common objects, on index cards and post them around the house. Label things like the clock, microwave, refrigerator, bed, dresser, door, bathroom, etc. If you want to incorporate writing into this activity, lightly write the word in pencil and have your child trace it with a dark-colored marker.

4. Play sound games: Playing games is a safe way to actively engage your child while teaching skills. Use a few free minutes to play while driving the car, waiting for the dentist, waiting in line to pay, etc. The more you practice, the easier these games will become!

A. Blend sounds: Say the sounds of a short word: cat. Her son will listen and tell her that the word is “cat.”

b. Sound segmentation: Say a short 2-3 letter word: cat. Your child will listen and tell you the sounds of the word: cat.

vs Compound Words: Say two words, which when mixed together, make a new word: butterfly. Her son will listen and tell him the new word.

d. Syllables: Say a word. His son will say it with you, with one hand placed under his chin. As you say the word out loud, your chin will touch your hand each time you say a vowel sound. Count how many times this happens to count the syllables. Then clap the syllables. Eg. Crocodile (4 syllables)

5. Parts of Speech: Does your child need practice to remember what a verb, noun, adverb, or adjective is? Get some Mad Libs! These silly stories promote learning parts of speech and let you laugh together!

Using creative methods to teach skills increases your child’s motivation to participate and learn—and that’s half the battle!