The Importance of Family Involvement in the Classroom

            Family involvement plays a key factor in a young child’s cognitive and social development. There are many benefits that go along with the use of family involvement in the classroom. It cannot only help the child, but also help the family and school/community. When the child’s family is involved, there is a communication to children about the value of family life. All children need families that talk to them, read to them, provide experiences that build their vocabulary and are aware of the important role they play in helping their children to read. Family members who care for children are children’s first teachers. Starting at birth, a child’s experiences affect their success in becoming literate.

            The child’s success in a schools literacy program usually depends on the child’s literacy environment outside of the classroom. This means that it is important to have a home life that supports and promotes literacy. A simple way to do so is to have books readily available throughout the house. It is very common for children to see family members reading and want to join in. Have you ever spoke to a young child about books? If you have, you would remember their reaction. Children love being read to. At my experience at Apple Tree, I have noticed that when I read out loud to my student, more than often a group of others with gather around me to listen. They also love when they are given the freedom to choose a book for me to read out loud to them. This excitement stems from their interactions at home. Reading to a child at night is a great way to start the literacy development early. I remember being read to almost every night right after my parents tucked me in. It was one of my favorite times of the day and I looked forward to when the time would come every night.

            It is also equally important to have literacy-rich environments to encourage writing. The home should have pencils, pens, crayons, markers, and a supply of paper readily available. Young children love to express their ideas and thoughts through drawings before they are old enough to write words. Opening this experience to them at an early age can make a difference. Literacy-rich environments can have the power to motivate a child to learn through experience. Inquiry-based instruction can be as simple as having a blank piece of paper and a writing utensil.