You can support your child in developing their literacy skills at home by:

• engaging them in discussions and modelling good habits of conversation, which will improve their speaking and listening skills
• hearing them read every day, even after they finish the reading scheme books
• reading to them regularly
• discussing what has been read
• providing regular opportunities to write for a purpose - such as helping to write a shopping list, wish list, thank you cards, summer holiday diary, letters to friends, etc
• supporting your child to achieve their individual targets which will be given at parents' evenings in October and April and on the end of year report
• ensuring children practice their spellings daily and that the spelling sheets are handed in to the class teacher, where necessary, on time.

Remember also the very useful information guides on reading, writing and phonics which can be downloaded from the literacy section of the website.

Each class teacher will send home suggested activities for literacy whenever they are appropriate to support your child's school work. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to complete these tasks.

Children should be heard read regularly - even once they complete the reading scheme books - and the books should be discussed with them.  This helps to develop children's comprehension skills and can also help them to improve their writing through their understanding of reading materials.

Children from year one upwards will have spellings to learn.  These should be practised regularly using the 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' method.  In Key Stage Two spellings are tested each week.

Useful Websites

Click on the links below to visit websites with useful activities, games and tips for further improving your child's literacy skills.