Literacy Development
Supporting Your Child's Literacy Skills Development
Studies have shown that the best predictor of a child's success in French Immersion is their first language literacy skills. We encourage parents of all students from JK - Grade 4 to read to their children for 15-20 minutes each night.
We do not expect parents to be bilingual in French, however, supporting English at home has been shown to improve French literacy for French Immersion students.
Here is how you can help ...
- Read 15-20 minutes each night with your child right up until at least the end of Grade 4
- Have your child help you read signs, notices, etc. in your daily life
- For children who are not reading fluently yet: play pre-reading skill games, memory games, and math games while shopping, or in the car, or while you make supper.
- Practice English sight words with your children.
From JK to Grade 3, we have a specific set of sight words that we want students to have in their sight vocabulary. Being able to recognize these words without sounding them out will help children to read 70% of the text they will encounter. We have grouped these high frequency words for a focus of study in each school year. Please start at the beginning and work through them with your child.
We have attached both the word lists for each grade level as well as flashcards of the words that you can print and use at home:
Click to view flashcards
Practice these sight words and your child's reading will improve. Here are some tips to help your child with the flashcards:
- Show your child the flashcard. They need to say the word immediately.
- If the child hesitates or starts sounding it out, say the word yourself and immediately move on to the next flashcard.
- Keep working at them and reviewing them until your child can say the word right when you hold up the card.
For children who are working on attaching sounds to letters, use the flashcards below. Hold up the flashcard and have them say the sound/s the letter makes.
Click to view flashcards
Activities for Parents to Help Children Develop Literacy Skills
Activities that foster phonological awareness
Activities that foster vocabulary and language development
Activities that foster understanding of narrative structure
Activities that foster book awareness and interest
Activities that foster understanding of print concepts and functions, as well as letter and word recognition
Activities that foster comprehension
Activities for Parents to Help Children with Math
Helping young children with math
Helping older children with math
Helpful Websites for Parents
Additional Resources