Linking Reading and Writing

    The need for practice to keep reading skills sharp and growing has been documented in many studies.  Just like playing an instrument, reading practice leads to growth and improvement. Practice is essential for skill maintenance, and children who do not engage in literacy activities can lose ground when out of school.  Reading to children during vacation and all summer also helps develop vocabulary and language skills.

    Similarly, writing is enhanced by practice.  Motivation to keep reading and writing means capitalizing on what truly interests your child.  Telling children to “read and write because it is good for you to do it,” is like telling them that eating a vegetable they dislike will make them stronger.  They may do it but they won’t enjoy it.  They need to be inspired and motivated by authentic activities that are meaningful and have personal value to them.  Listen to your child’s conversation and questions for clues to what types of reading would interest them.  Read with them and to them on topics they are interested in.  Hooking into interests, hobbies, or areas of inquiry is a sure recipe for increasing the motivation to read and write.  The following are a few suggestions for these types of reading and writing experiences.
 

What can I do to motivate my child's reading and writing experiences?      

• If you are preparing for a trip, locate reading material that relates to the event.  It will not only make your trip more meaningful, it will provide an authentic and purposeful reading experience for your child.

  • Travel brochures provide a wonderful motivation to read and build anticipation and background knowledge for what they will see.

  • Look online, or in the library for information that relates to the upcoming travel or activity.
     

• Take family pictures and allow children to create a picture book with descriptive sentences to tell the story of their experience. These books will become treasures of a memorable experience that will be read again and again and can be shared with others.
   

• Put your computer to use as an inspiration for keeping in touch with friends and family through email.  Having children sit and write to someone they know will respond is as big a thrill as getting a letter in the mail.

  • Email siblings or cousins away at college.

  • Invite students to email their teacher about their weekend/vacation.
     

• Computer word processing is often fun for children because it frees them from the physical act of writing with a pencil that can be fatiguing and they can be apt to generate longer stories.
   

• Keep in touch with your public library to see if there are story hours to participate in and volunteer to be a reader on occasion.  Model the act of reading enjoyment for your child by letting them see you engage in reading often.  The same goes for writing.
   

• Don’t forget books on tape for the long car rides you take. They provide a story the whole family can enjoy and discuss together.
   

• If you are having a family get together or a neighborhood gathering, have kids design the invitations and make a list of necessities and activities.

  • Writing out grocery lists and shopping lists is a creating way for children to become involved in responsible situations.