From sounding out their first words to tackling a challenging novel in high school, children develop their reading and writing skills in different ways and at different stages. And while much of that learning happens in the classroom, there are plenty of simple things families can do at home to help.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) has created two Literacy at Home websites to provide parents and guardians with practical tips, activities, and resources to help children from Kindergarten through Grade 12 become more confident readers and writers.
Developed by our OCSB Literacy team, the websites offer a closer look at what students are learning in school, along with ideas families can use at home. And the good news? You don’t need to be a literacy expert to make a difference.
Literacy at Home: Kindergarten to Grade 6
Some of the best opportunities to build reading skills happen during everyday moments. Reading together, playing word games or talking about a favourite story can all help young learners develop confidence.
Our Literacy at Home K–6 website is filled with practical ideas and resources to help families encourage reading and writing at home.
Explore resources that include:
- Building Foundational Reading Skills: Simple strategies to strengthen phonics, vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension.
- Online Reading Resources: Access to student learning tools, including Gale Elementary, Newsela and Sora.
- Understanding What Your Child Is Learning: Information about Ontario’s Language Curriculum and Early Reading Screening.
- Supporting Multilingual Learners: Resources for families whose children are learning in more than one language.
Whether it’s a bedtime story, a trip to the library or helping your child work through a tricky word, these small moments can make reading and writing a natural part of everyday life.
Literacy at Home: Grades 7 to 12
Learning to read is just the beginning. As students move through intermediate and secondary school, they use their reading, writing and comprehension skills in almost every subject, from understanding a science assignment to researching a topic or expressing their ideas.
Our Literacy at Home Grades 7–12 website offers families ways to stay involved as their children become more independent learners.
You’ll find:
- The Five Pillars of Reading Instruction: An introduction to the essential skills that support reading development.
- Practical Strategies for Home: Activities and resources to strengthen reading and writing beyond the classroom.
- Curriculum and Skill Development: Information about literacy expectations and learning in Grades 7 to 12.
- Why Literacy Matters: A look at how reading and writing skills help students succeed in school and prepare for what comes next.
Older students may not need someone to read with them at bedtime, but they still benefit from encouragement. Asking about a book, discussing something they’ve read or taking an interest in what they’re learning can make a difference.
Building Strong Readers Together
At the OCSB, we know how much it matters when schools and families work together. Our Literacy at Home websites are another way to make that partnership a little easier, giving parents and guardians helpful resources they can use when they need them.
And remember, helping your child become a stronger reader or writer doesn’t have to mean setting aside hours for extra lessons. Sometimes, it’s as simple as sharing a story, having a conversation or encouraging them to read about something they love.
Take a look at the Literacy at Home website for your child’s grade level. You might be surprised by how many everyday opportunities there are to help them learn.
You can also find links to both websites on the Parents page of every OCSB school website.
