Spreadig Literacy

Last week, we had some opinions about literacy, as well as the qestions what every one of us can do to help raise literacy again. This week, we will try to find ways to make sure this important skill isn't lost along the way of becoming "cool" (or is this already out of date?).

The best way to spread literacy is to lead by example. When the younger generations, especially your own children, see you read and write, and enjoy it, they will get a positive image of it. Start with reading picture books to your children when they are still very young. The illustrations will help them understand the story. Or, even better, let them tell you the story based on the illustrations. Some young children like to "read" stories to their parents even though they can't really read. They just make a story up, or tell the story from their memories.

If you have the time, try to read to your children before they go to bed - every day. Let them choose the book you read from. Once they learn to read, take turns. Read a page or a paragraph yourself, and then let the child's as you can read way better. Increase the length of your child's parts with their reading ability.

If your children come up with stories, encourage them to write them down, or offer to write them down for them if they aren't able to write yet. Make a small booklet with their stories.

Encourage them to write letters to their grandparents aunts, uncles or friends, or try to find a pen pal for them. Receiving letters from people they like will help increase their regard for the written word.

If your children still use abbreviations when writing text messages and emails to their friends, or when chatting, don't freak out. As long as they write properly in other contexts, they should be allowed to write "more conveniently" to their friends.