Hello Ranchlands School Community!
It was a pleasure to meet many parents and families last week at parent-teacher me conferences. Many parents have asked me ways in which they can help their English language learning children at home. Here are some strategies and tips to support you:
• Don’t be afraid to use your home language - You can explain unfamiliar words and concepts in the language familiar to your child and continue to build his or her literacy skills in the home language, while practicing and developing English.
• When it comes to homework, have a routine – Establishing a good study routine at home can make a significant difference in your child’s learning. Provide a quiet environment by removing or minimizing any potential distractions and make sure that your child has all the supplies he or she needs including pencils, books, paper, etc. Take the time to answer any questions your child may have. If you don’t know the answers, you can help your child find resources to help answer the questions he or she has, or you can help your child write down the question to ask his or her teacher. Even if you cannot yet speak English yourself, you can still check on your child to see if homework assignments are finished.
• Use creative outlets to practice and learn language - A fun way to practice and learn language is to engage in creative activities. For example, make a scrapbook together featuring things that have taken place in your new home, city, and/or country and write all the captions and titles in your new language. Does your child like to paint or write? Have them draw a picture and write or tell a story about it. Vocabulary journals and telling stories are also fun ways to practice and learn language.
• English learning websites and games – If you have access to the Internet, there are a variety of educational websites and games to help develop English language skills. Additionally, many websites offer quizzes and tests. Use websites that introduce and practice phonics for reading development. Some websites offer audio book downloads, read alongs with text, and pronunciation assistance. Playing learning games can peak interest, offer motivation, and also teach new vocabulary.
• Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities - Extracurricular activities both at school and outside of school time can provide additional meaningful opportunities to develop language and literacies. Understanding and using language and literacies skills across settings is important in learning and achievement.
• Stay connected and collaborate with teachers - By staying informed, you can keep up to date on your child’s linguistic, academic, and social progress in school. Understanding what is going on in school will give you a better idea of how you can support your child at home. Coordination and partnership between the school and home helps children thrive and succeed in their new learning environments.
