Family Literacy Day: Sing a Song for Literacy

It’s Family Literacy Day on January 27, and this year’s theme is “Sing for Literacy.” That’s right: raising a good reader has more to it than reading books to your child. There are many different activities that help literacy: word games, writing, and singing. Singing helps your child practice literacy skills because it encourages vocabulary and helps kids with sounding out aloud when they start reading.

“Singing is a great literacy activity for families because it provides a fun way to expand spoken vocabulary and creates a strong bond,” says Ashley Tilley, Communications Coordinator at ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. “Singing allows you to learn patterns of words, rhymes and rhythms, and is strongly connected to language skills.”

Have you ever heard of the “Mozart Effect?” There was a study done in 1993 that showed listening to Mozart increased the intelligence of babies and young children – which is why the shelves are stocked with classical music DVDs and CDs for kids!

One of the essential parts of learning literacy is something called “phonological awareness.” This has to do with the understanding of words being made from sounds. Your child is hearing the sounds that make up different words, which aids in not only reading but spelling, and with vocabulary development. Same goes for talking to your child – the more you can talk to them and get them involved, the better their vocabulary will grow.

Storytelling and singing songs help your child organize thoughts and words. In a story, events go from beginning to end, and usually a song is similar.

Besides popping the CD of baby tunes when you’re in the car, make up your own songs to sing with your child. Don’t worry if you don’t have a great voice – your child will just be happy to bond and interact with you. Make up silly songs as you take a walk, or make tidying up toys a fun activity with a song.

There are many great musical CDs for kids to encourage language skills. Go for favourite nursery rhymes and songs, or even old favourites like Raffi – Baby Beluga and Old McDonald. Put on CDs while your child is colouring, or while the two of you bake in the kitchen.

Use song books to encourage reading and singing. Use illustrated books of song lyrics like The More We Get Together (Glazer, 1990) or Old MacDonald Had a Farm (Rounds, 1989) to help your child make the connection between singing and reading. Repetition in both singing and reading helps your child retain language and become more familiar with the abstract symbols present in both songs and books.

Whatever activity your child is doing to master beginning reading, it’s all about enjoyment. Learning to read is not about sitting and trying to decipher strings of words. It’s about music, language, and creativity.

“Having children engage in literacy-related activities as early as possible will help them develop the necessary skills for good communication later in life,” says Tilley.

You can find out more about Family Literacy Day at ABC Canada’s site.“The ABC Canada Literacy Foundation is also encouraging families across Canada to sing at various Family Literacy Day events and help raise funds by pledging online at Family Literacy Day.,” says Tilley.