Family Engagement Activities
Empowering Parents as Partners in Literacy
As preschool teachers and directors, we understand that literacy development begins long before children enter our classrooms. Parents are their child’s first and most influential teachers, setting the foundation for language, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. In today’s busy world, many parents may not fully recognize the powerful impact they have on their child’s learning—or may feel uncertain about the best ways to support their child’s growth at home. We can provide family engagement activities to empower parents as partners in literacy.
Why Literacy Support at Home Matters
Parents play a pivotal role in shaping early literacy. The first three years of life are VITAL for brain development. It is these first years of life that build the foundation for the future of learning. When families prioritize reading, talking, and singing, research shows that children experience:
• Higher Academic Achievement
• Increased Emotional Connection
• Better Language and Cognitive Skills
As educators, we have the unique opportunity and privilege to empower parents with the tools and knowledge to make small yet impactful changes. By shifting our perspective from “they just don’t care” to “perhaps they don’t know,” we can create the foundation for transformative growth and major change!
Studies Show Parents Are Less Informed
We know that parents play a critical role in building the foundation, but a recent study has shown that many parents may not understand the important role that reading plays in children’s lives from the very beginning. Key findings from Scholastic's Kids & Family Reading Report show that parents are reporting that they read less to their newborns now than they did in past, despite research emphasizing the importance of this practice in developing language and literacy skills. Perhaps most concerning is that fewer parents are receiving advice from healthcare providers and educators about the importance of reading aloud from birth, pointing to a need for greater outreach and education about this foundational practice. (Scholastic, 2022).
See the full report here:
Educating Parents in Early Literacy: Strategies for Teachers & Directors
Every single parent wants what is best for their child, but not every parent has the tools to make this a reality when it comes to early literacy education. Let’s empower parents with encouragement and knowledge to build a better future for our children. Here are some ways to strengthen parent partnerships in literacy.
1. Host a Parent Literacy Night
Invite families to a fun, interactive event where teachers model effective literacy practices. We did this in my Title 1 kindergarten classroom several years ago and it was huge success. Keep it simple. Ask the teachers to model an interactive read aloud. The teacher is reading a story to the children while the parents observe. During the read aloud, ask the teacher to emphasize a few specific skills (discussing an unknown vocabulary word, asking for a prediction, describing the problem). After the read aloud, send the children to complete a table activity and/or snack while the teacher debriefs with the families about the skills modeled.
2. Send Home Weekly Reading Book Bags
Gather a collection of gently used or new books to create a school library. Allow children to come and “check out” a book each week to read at home. The children LOVE choosing a book and exchanging it each week. Grab THESE reading book companion sheets in the shop to send home each month in the book bags.
3. Share Educational Resources with Families
Provide families with informational websites to explore on their own. Here are some great ones to share:
4. Provide Activity Ideas for Home
Don’t assume that parents know what to do at home. Provide very simple suggestions of activities that go along with your weekly learning goals. For example, "Today we learned about words. Head to your pantry and ask your child to locate words on the snack boxes." Our Monthly Parent Newsletters have suggested books AND activities to build specific literacy skills EACH month! Grab them HERE!
When parents feel supported and informed, they become more confident in their role as literacy leaders at home. As educators, we can keep parents informed and involved so that the mindset does not become “teaching is the school’s job” but transforms to “learning is a partnership.” By providing practical tools, modeling best practices, and fostering a collaborative relationship with families, we can bridge the gap between school and home, ensuring every child can thrive!
Are You a Parent? These Small Actions Mean a LOT to Teachers
Read the Newsletter: Teachers take time to keep you informed, so please read the newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date on school events, classroom activities, and what children are learning. Try to make a connection to the learning objectives at home.
Clean Out the Backpack: Along with reading the newsletters comes checking the backpack each night. As a parent myself, I know that this can feel like a chore, but regularly cleaning out your child’s backpack or folder means a lot to teachers. This simple act of checking the folder shows that you care and are involved in your child's education and shows your child you are interested in their classwork. Make a habit of unloading the second you get in the door.
Communicate Openly: Don’t be afraid to reach out! If teachers are aware of major life changes or issues at home, they can better support your child. Building a partnership is the key to success.
Show Up, and If You Can’t, Reach Out: Try your best to attend special school events and meetings. There is nothing more disheartening than having two parents show up to your curriculum night (been there, done that). If you can’t make it, make an effort to show that you care by asking about the content that you missed.
Give 5 Minutes a Day: Celebrate school at home by dedicating a few intentional minutes to learning. Discuss your child’s day, display their artwork, and practice skills they’re learning in class. Get the literacy pad to make literacy learning easy, on sale on Amazon HERE!
Check Out Our Free Resources!
Learn at Your Own Pace with Moving Little Minds!
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We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills. At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways! By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.
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