Things You Can Do

Reading Tips
• Ask the librarian or a bookseller to help you and your child choose books.
• Read your child’s favorite books with her again and again.
• Act out the story—create a different voice for each character.
• Make up your own story to go with the pictures.
• Ask questions, like “Where’s the kitty?” or “What does the dog say?”
• Sing or chant nursery rhymes and other poems.
• Use books to talk about difficult topics, like anger or sharing. For more tips, visit www.readcalifornia.org.

Family Literacy Resources
• If you did not graduate from high school, you can get a GED or diploma. Call National Literacy Hotline.
• Ask your school district about English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Call California Literacy or visit www.caliteracy.org.
• Ask your school district about Early Head Start and Head Start for low- income families with children to age 5.
• For more information, call Family Literacy Hotline or National Literacy Hotline. Visit www.famlit.org or www.literacydirectory.org.

Even Start
Some school districts have Even Start family literacy programs for parents and young children from birth through age 7. Even Start helps parents get more involved in their children’s schooling. Both parents and children take classes, and children learn many social skills that help prepare them for school. Call Family Literacy Hotline or Education.

Learning Letters and Numbers
• Point out letters in signs and go through the alphabet with your child.
• Provide alphabet blocks and other toys that teach letters and numbers.
• Sing alphabet and counting songs together.
• Make big letters in the sand or model them with clay.