Community Resources for Parents

Don't feel that you are alone.  Family members and friends may be willing to support you in helping your child learn to read.  Your child's teacher, school and local librarians are knowledgeable and can offer help.  You can also seek advice from community organizations such as child care centres and The Ontario Early Years Centres.
Select the various links below for additional help!

Classroom Teacher

When children see their parents and teachers working together, they feel more secure and confident. Taking an interest in your child's education will help your child do better at school.

Your child's teacher can provide advice about helping your child learn to read.  Here are some topics you could discuss with the teacher:

		your child's reading level
		the reading goals for your child and how you can support your child in working towards those goals
		books that your child could read easily and books that he or she would find more difficult
		books and authors your child might enjoy
		the level of your child's interest in reading--for example, whether he or she chooses to read for enjoyment
		reading strategies your child could use
		books or guides that could help you help your child

Your child's teacher can suggest a variety of strategies that your child can and should use to learn to read, and especially to get through difficult passages.

For example, your child's teacher may suggest some or all of the following strategies for your child to try if he or she gets stuck on a work:

		Think about what word would make sense in the story or sentence.
		Sound the word out.
		Think of a word that looks and sounds similar.
		Look for parts of the word that are familiar.
		Think about what word would sound right in the sentence.
		Check the pictures and the punctuation marks for clues.
		Ask for help with the word.

School and Public Librarian

Talk to your school librarian and ask for her/his assistance in guiding your child's book selection. The librarian will consider the interests and age appropriateness of the material.

Take your child to your local public library and look for books that will interest him or her.  Some children find books with interactive features particularly motivating. Ask the librarians for help.  They will know which books are most appealing to young children.  Take full advantage of the many programs for early readers.

Click here for excellent library sites compiled by The London District School Board.

Other Support

You can enlist many other people besides your child's teacher as partners in helping your child learn to read.  Here are some suggestions:

	Consider involving relatives and friends in helping to motivate your child to learn to read. Older siblings, grandparents, family friends, and your child's caregivers can add their support and encouragement.
	Talk to staff in local child care centres, parent-child drop-in centres, and other community organizations.  They will be familiar with community resources that could be helpful.
	If your child has trouble learning to read, ask your family doctor to make a referral to specialist such as an audiologist to check your child's hearing and an optometrist to check their vision.  It may be that a medical condition that is contributing to his or her reading difficulties.