Fostering Early Literacy Skills in Our Children

As a primary teacher, I am often asked by parents about the best ways to support their child’s early literacy skills.

It is interesting; however, that a great deal of your child’s literacy development happens before they enter the school system. Parents and caregivers play an integral role in developing and promoting a child’s language skills. In fact, the first five years of your child’s life creates the literacy foundation upon which teachers and the education system continue to build.

So, what are early literacy skills?

  • Oral language development is a major component of literacy skills. From speaking one word at a time, to phrases, and then to full sentences, these are the skills that will be developed and built upon once your child enters the school system.
  • Developing a positive attitude and basic knowledge about reading, writing, listening and speaking. Looking at books, figuring out how print works and looking at pictures are all important early literacy skills.

Early literacy skills can be fostered and developed anywhere including the home, daycares, preschools and in the community.

The great city of New Westminster offers many opportunities and venues to help you and your child to begin their exciting journey learning to read.

Around the City

The New Westminster Public Library (NWPL)

  • Tee1Story time is offered by the NWPL for caregivers with babies (ages 0-23 months), caregivers with preschool aged children (ages 2 – 5 years), and for families (all ages)
  • Activities may include singing songs, listening to stories and rhymes
  • Tee2NWPL also has concept books that you can borrow. Examples of concept books are alphabet books and numeracy books.
  • For more information about what the New Westminster Public Library has to offer, the days and times of the story time for you, pop in to the NWPL or check out their website.

 

 

Strong Start Early Learning Centres

The schedule for the Strong Start Early Learning Centre at Richard McBride Elementary School.
The schedule for the Strong Start Early Learning Centre at Richard McBride Elementary School.
  • Conveniently located at three elementary school sites in the city of New Westminster
  • Drop in program for caregivers with their children ages 0 – 5 years old
  • Led by an early childhood educator
  • Provides caregivers and children with the time and opportunity to socialize and make connections with others in the community

Activities for children may include:

  • Free play time to build oral language, develop social skills, and promote imagination
  • Baking
  • Story time to look at books and answer directed questions
  • Check out the link for more information.
Some of the materials that the children can experience.
Some of the materials that the children can experience at Strong Start.
Some of the materials that the children can experience at Strong Start.
Some of the materials that the children can experience at Strong Start.

 

New Westminster Family Place

  • Tee6Offers drop in programs for parents with children ages 0-5 years old

Activities for children may include:

  • Free play time to develop imagination, creativity, and to develop oral and social skills
  • Story time activity
  • Songs and rhymes
  • Once a month, a specialist is invited to give a parent education talk during the drop in time
  • Offers resources and referrals for parents seeking information/support/help
  • Offers a toy lending library for parents

For more information, please see their website.

Purpose Society

  • Tee7Offers drop in programs for parents and children. Different programs are on different days such as Family Circle (3 -5 years old), Pitter Patter Circle Time (0-30 months), and Teeter Tots (0 – 30 months).
  • Activities may include:
    • Free play time
    • Circle time
    • Crafts
    • Snacks
    • Parent information session

For more information of the programs and details, please visit their website.

AT HOMETee8

I love spending time with my children. Activities at home can be done in the comforts of your pajamas for those lazy weekend mornings or spread out during the day.

Tee11Tee10Tee9

These are some of the activities that promote early literacy skills in our children.

  1. Read with your child. Anything and everything from books to groceries list to game directions. READ!
  2. Puzzles are so fun to do. There is such a variety out there. Beginner puzzles are perfect for little ones and for those up to the challenge, 3D puzzles are complex and satisfying to complete. Puzzles build concentration, attention to details, hand eye co-ordination, and the development of the pincer grip (the fingers needed to hold a pencil effortlessly!
  3. Arts and Craft are super fun to do! Arts and crafts projects foster listening skills, following directions, and fine motor development.
  4. Printing for everyday events is a super way to help your child develop skills sounding out and fine motor development. Examples of things your child can print are invitations to birthday parties, wish lists, or thank you cards.

As you can see, whether at home or around the city, there are so many things that can be done to help foster and develop your child’s early literacy skills.

Written by: Sandra Tee, primary teacher

Edited and Revised by: Lindsay DeLair, teacher librarian

With thanks from:

  • Liz Hunter: New Westminster Public Library
  • Marian Parish: Head Strong Start Facilitator, SD40
  • Staff at the Purpose Society and the New Westminster Family Place