FACTSHEET

Aug. 28, 2012

Ministry of Education

 

Back-to-school tips to improve studying and literacy

 

VICTORIA – As parents and students prepare for the start of school on Sept. 4, the following reading and studying tips can help students achieve success and get the most out of their study time.

 

·      Set up a daily routine for homework completion and help children prioritize tasks.

·      Keep an assignment calendar in a central place for quick reference of due dates, exams and how they fit with other activities.

·      Create a space where your children can concentrate and complete assignments away from distractions like television, the Internet and game consoles. Make sure you provide adequate lighting and supplies.

·      Ensure homework is put in a backpack or notebook as soon as it is completed so your children take it back to school with them.

·      Provide guidance on safe and effective use of the Internet and set age-appropriate filters.

·      Set an example – let your children see you read.

 

 

Parents of Preschool Children:

 

·      If your children resist reading, do not force them as this may discourage them from reading. Research shows that children embrace reading at a variety of ages and still perform well in school.

 

 

Parents of Primary Students:

 

·      Read to your children and encourage them to chime in with familiar words and phrases.

·      Encourage your children to read aloud and help them look up words they don’t know.

·      Talk to your children about what they read to help with their reading comprehension.

·      Surround your children with a variety of reading material, including books, magazines and comics.

·      Take your children to the library, introduce them to the librarian and help them get a library card. Then make trips to the library a weekly family outing.

 

Parents of Intermediate/Middle School Students:

 

·      Let your children read age-appropriate comic books and a variety of novels in their spare time. This will encourages positive reading habits and can play a role in improving literacy.

·      Offer help and answer questions, but do not complete your children’s homework for them.

·      Inspire creativity by encouraging your children to write stories, poetry and songs, and then share them with you.

 

 

Parents of Secondary Students:

 

·      Encourage your teenagers to read over class notes each night and highlight important information so they retain it longer.

·      Make sure your children take regular breaks to ease eye, neck and brain fatigue while studying. This will help them be more productive and improve reading retention.

·      Encourage your children to research subjects that interest them and use resources at local libraries.

 

 

For more reading tips, take a look at these websites:

 

LearnNowBC: http://www.learnnowbc.ca/Parent_Information_Centre/SupportingChildsLearning/Literacy.aspx

 

Decoda Literacy Solutions:

http://decoda.ca/children-families/

 

 

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect