5. My child still has trouble spelling words correctly. What do I do? It’s typically more important for children to get their thoughts down on paper than to get bogged down with worries about spelling. Your child may work best by writing all of his or her story or essay first, and then going back afterward to circle the words that look like they are spelled incorrectly. There are many spelling games and apps online that children can use to practice their spelling at home. Talk to your teacher about his or her recommendations. 6. My child has low self-esteem when it comes to reading. What should I do? Children can sometimes be nervous to read out loud or in public. This is normal, and there are many ways to boost your child’s confidence! Try giving your child books to read aloud that are a little below his or her grade level. Being able to read text smoothly and confidently will increase self-esteeem, building your child’s readiness to tackle more difficult texts. You can also help prepare your child before reading something at a higher level, such as reading through the menu together before going out to eat. Even a small amount of preparation can reduce anxiety. 7. English is not my family’s first language. How can we support our child’s development in both of the languages we speak? Literacy skills transfer easily between any languages, and there are many ways that you can support your child’s growth in both languages at once. For example: ▶ Choose graphic novels or other very visual books with very few words and create a story together using words from both languages you speak. ▶ Find bilingual books, and take turns with your child reading the English page and the page in your native language. ▶ Turn on closed captions in English when you watch TV together, or use captions in your native language.
Just Ask Ask your child’s teacher any questions you have that have not been answered by this guide. Bring this guide with you the next time you meet, and use the lines below to write your own question and the teacher’s response.
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Family Guide to Literacy | Grade 6
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