How Families Can Support Literacy at Home

In Rosemount-Apple Valley Eagan Public Schools, we believe that literacy builds futures. Reading isn’t something children simply “pick up”—it’s a skill that develops through direct instruction, intentional practice, connection, and encouragement. The good news? Families play a powerful role in helping children become confident, joyful readers. Whether your child is just learning their letters or diving into chapter books, here’s how you can help them grow.

The Science Behind Reading

Over 50 years of research, known as the Science of Reading, has revealed how the brain learns to read. It's a coordinated process that connects word recognition—the ability to decode letters and sounds—with language comprehension, which involves understanding the meaning and context. Together, these strands create skilled reading.

Unlike speaking, reading is not a natural process; it must be explicitly taught. That’s why District 196 uses structured, evidence-based instruction rooted in phonics, phonemic awareness, morphology, and vocabulary. When families understand these building blocks —how sounds (phonics) and structure (morphology) create words — they can reinforce learning at home in fun ways.

Supporting Early Readers (Ages 4–7)

For our youngest learners, conversation and curiosity are the best teachers. Children in kindergarten and first grade benefit from hearing language all day long—at the grocery store, in the car, or while cooking dinner. Ask questions that begin with “why” or “how” to spark reasoning and vocabulary growth.

Reading aloud is one of the most powerful tools parents have.

Choose a page or two each night, talk about what’s happening, and make connections to your child’s experiences.

• Encourage them to decode by recognizing letters and matching them to their sounds.
• Practice blending sounds (like /c/ /a/ /t/) and breaking apart simple words.
• These early skills create the foundation for fluent reading.

Equally important is helping young readers build self-awareness and persistence. Celebrate their efforts when tasks get tricky, and model empathy by talking about characters’ feelings. Learning to read requires both patience and confidence.

Encouraging Middle Grade Readers (Ages 8–10)

By grades two through four, children are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. At this stage, fluency and comprehension are closely intertwined. Listening to your child read aloud—even for a few minutes each day—strengthens their accuracy and expression. Writing also reinforces literacy; try making grocery lists, thank-you cards, or short stories together.

Choice matters. Let children select books that match their interests, and make library visits part of your routine. Encourage exploration with a theme of the week—maybe animals, rivers, or outer space—and collect facts or stories around that topic. Audiobooks are another wonderful way to expose children to rich vocabulary and complex stories while modeling fluent reading.

At this age, sustained attention and problem-solving are developing. Support these habits by encouraging your child to focus on longer projects and persevere through challenges. Each of these skills strengthens not just reading, but lifelong learning.

Guiding Older Students (Ages 11–13)

As children enter the upper elementary and middle school years, literacy continues to evolve. They begin tackling multisyllabic words, exploring word roots, and building background knowledge across subjects. Families can nurture this growth by reading and discussing the same books as their child, exploring different perspectives, and connecting stories to real-world experiences.

Encourage curiosity by visiting museums, attending local events, or watching documentaries related to the topics your child is studying. These shared experiences expand vocabulary and deepen comprehension —while building strong bonds and lasting memories.

Emotional awareness also plays a key role in literacy success. Reading about various characters helps students build empathy and recognize emotions in themselves and others. When families model calm problem-solving and open communication, they foster both literacy and emotional resilience.

Working Together: Families and Schools

Our literacy framework is grounded in partnership. Teachers provide explicit, structured instruction through programs like Functional Phonics & Morphology and EL Education, while families reinforce these lessons through everyday interactions.

Communication is key. During conferences, we provide families timely updates about their child's literacy screeners. Then, teachers follow up on progress through notes, calls, and curriculum nights.

To learn how you can provide support at home, ask questions such as:

• What skills will my child be practicing this trimester?

• How can I reinforce those skills at home?

• What kinds of books best support their growth?

Together, families and educators form a literacy team—one that nurtures not only strong readers, but thoughtful, confident learners.

For additional strategies and tools, explore the READ Act Family Toolkit  and Reading Rockets Family Resources.

Every conversation, story, and shared page matters. When families raise readers, they’re building futures—one word at a time.

District 196 Literacy Specialists Kathleen Boland and Kimberly Bice and Interventionist Sarah Samaraka were excited to share this information in person with almost 100 parents and guardians during the following sessions this year. View the Presentation slideshow and handout.

• Wednesday, October 29 | Oak Ridge Elementary | 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Gym
• Thursday, October 30 | Diamond Path Elementary | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Gym
• Thursday, October 30 | Emerald Trail Elementary | 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Media Center

Interpretation services are always available upon request (email languageservices@district196.org)