Helping your child build strong literacy skills
Key takeaways
- Everyday activities like reading, talking and writing together help build your child’s literacy.
- If you're concerned about your child's literacy, support is available through their school and The Smith Family.
- Your encouragement and involvement, even for 10 minutes a day, can make a big difference.
As a parent, you play a big part in helping your child become a confident reader and writer.
Why literacy matters
Literacy is more than just reading books. It’s about understanding and using language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Children use literacy skills every day to:
- understand schoolwork
- talk and listen to others
- solve problems
- use technology
- prepare for work and adult life
Strong literacy skills help children feel confident and do well in school. It also helps them enjoy learning, and express themselves clearly.
Easy ways to support literacy at home
You don’t need to be a teacher to help your child with reading and writing. Here are some simple, everyday ways to support their learning:
- Read together: Make reading part of your daily routine. You can read books, signs, recipes or even comics.
- Talk often: Chat about your day, ask questions and listen to your child’s ideas.
- Write together: Try writing shopping lists, birthday cards or short stories together.
- Play word games: Games like “I Spy,” rhyming games or puzzles can make learning fun
- Show interest: Ask what they’re reading or writing at school. Celebrate their efforts and progress.
Even just 10 minutes a day can make a big difference.
Worried about your child’s literacy?
It’s okay to ask for help. If you’re concerned about your child’s reading or writing, you can talk to:- Their teacher: They can share how your child is going and suggest ways to support them.
- The school’s learning support team: They may offer extra help or assessments.
- Your Family Partnership Coordinator: They can connect you with programs like student2student or Adaptive Learning.
Helpful resources for families
- School newsletters and websites: Often share ideas and updates.
- Public libraries: Offer free books, story times and reading programs.
- Online resources: Explore websites with free games, videos and advice for families
- Literacy Hub: Learn about phonics, reading strategies and fun activities.
- Education NSW: Find downloadable booklets, videos and translated resources.
- Learning Potential: Discover ideas for supporting learning at all ages.
- Raising Children: Search for articles on literacy, learning and support for learning difficulties.
We are here for you!
Your Family Partnership Coordinator is here to support you through each stage of your child's educational journey.
They can support you to problem-solve any challenges that may come up that affect your child's education.
They can also connect you to educational support programs or services in the community if you decide that's what you need.
You can find your Family Partnership Coordinator's contact details in My Smith Family.
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