Parent Education Activities

Parent education sessions need to be planned and should follow a similar sequence each time. The suggested sequence is listed here and is explained later in this article. Also, see Sample Parent Education Lessons for examples.

  • Engaging parents in a short, motivating, introductory activity
  • Presenting new information
  • Processing the information through activities
  • Helping parents apply the new information

Topics may vary, but the majority of the sessions should center on the language and literacy development of children. It takes careful planning to provide opportunities for parents to learn about their child's language and literacy development, as well as opportunities for parents to discuss and gain the skills to support this development. Often, parent education sessions provide the opportunity to dispel common misconceptions regarding children's language and literacy development.

Discussing strategies or activities with parents that support their child's learning is a fundamental goal of parent education. These activities should be appropriate for the age of the child and can be done in the parent's native language. Figure III-3 provides some tips from the Reading Rockets Web site (http://www.readingrockets.org/) to share with parents.

Figure III-3: Parent Tips for Developing Language and Literacy in Children

Infants:

  • Talk and sing to your baby when you change his diaper, give him a bath, feed him lunch, or join him in play.
  • Help increase your baby's vocabulary by asking "What's that?" or "Where's the dog?" when looking at and enjoying books together.

Toddlers:

  • Read stories before bedtime. It makes a good transition between active play and rest time.
  • Take short trips to new places and talk about what is happening around you.

Preschoolers:

  • Encourage preschool children to carry out steps to written recipes or to look at labels.
  • Play picture-card games with your child.
  • Point out words on signs.

Primary grade children:

  • Continue to read with your child even if he has already learned to read.
  • Visit the library on a regular basis.
  • Show children that you read books and magazines for information and enjoyment.

(Adapted from National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1997.)