Part 1: Birth Through Preschool Reading
Skills
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Reading In Another Language
If your child’s first language is
not English, he can still become an excellent English reader
and
writer.
He is on his way to successful
English reading if he is beginning to learn many words and is
interested in learning to read in his first language.
You can help by supporting him in
his first language as he learns English.
Talk with him, read with him,
encourage him to draw and write. In other words, do the same
kinds of activities just discussed, but do them in your
child’s first language.
When your child first enters
school, talk with his or her teacher. Teachers welcome such
talks.
They even have sign-up times
early in the year, though usually you may ask for a meeting at
any time.
If you feel that you need some
support in meeting with the teacher, ask a relative, neighbor,
or someone else in your community to go with you.
When you do meet, tell the
teacher the things that you are doing at home to strengthen
your child’s
speaking and reading in her own language.
Let the teacher know how
important you child’s reading is to you and ask for support
for your efforts.
Children who can switch back and
forth between languages have accomplished something special.
They should be praised and encouraged as they work for this
achievement.
For a list of multiple-language
books, see Resources for Children,
page. |