Parent Information

For Parents of Reading Recovery Children

If your child is selected for participation in Reading Recovery, the Reading Recovery teacher will communicate frequently with you and share how you can help. The Reading Recovery teacher will meet with you to explain the program. Your child's Reading Recovery teacher will also invite you to observe a lesson and ask questions.

It is important to make sure your child's school attendance is as regular as possible so that maximum benefit can be gained from this one-to-one teaching program.

Did you know?

Research shows that children who read to—or with—someone at home make more progress than those who don't share reading at home.

As parents/guardians, you are your child's first teacher, and your enthusiasm for your child's reading and writing achievement is important.

Becoming a successful reader and writer has been shown to be the most important ability for later success in education, employment and future life.

It all starts at home with young children communicating with siblings and adults. Talking helps children expand their vocabulary and understanding of the world. And it helps them develop as readers. 

Now, here are some things you can do to help make reading more enjoyable for your child:

• Read to your child before bedtime.
• Turn the TV off when you are reading to your child.
• Talk about the story and the pictures while you read. Ask your child to find things in the pictures.
• Let your child read along, even if he or she is not really reading.
• Praise your child's interest in the story.

It is crucial that you listen to your child read aloud the books he/she brings home each day from the Reading Recovery lesson. It gives your child the opportunity to practice reading and for you to tell your child how proud you are of his/her efforts. Most of all, this is another way to enjoy reading together.

You can also help at home to develop your child's interest in writing. Writing should be fun! When your child draws a picture, encourage him/her to write something about the picture. Praise your child's efforts and don't expect all the words to be spelled correctly.

These are some things you can do to make writing enjoyable for your child:

• Supply some blank paper and crayons, pencils or markers for your child to use.
• Encourage your child to write lists, telephone messages, letters, stories, etc.
• Ask your child read his/her writing to you.
• Make labels for things in your house or things your child draws.
• Write letters or cards to each other.
• Make a list of things together, such as things-to-do or a shopping list.
• Help your child with his/her homework.

For additional resources, consult the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative publication offerings.