Dear parents and carers,

As partners in your child’s educational journey, it’s essential to understand the incredible impact that oral language can have on your child’s literacy development, spelling skills, and social self-esteem. Research has shown that fostering strong oral language skills lays a solid foundation for future academic success and overall confidence.

The ‘Bridging the Word Gap’ study from The Oxford Language Report highlights the critical role of oral language in literacy development. Children who are exposed to rich conversations and discussions from a young age are more likely to excel in reading, writing, and spelling. The study emphasises that engaging children in meaningful conversations not only boost their vocabulary but also nurtures their ability to express ideas coherently.

Why is this so important? First and foremost, a strong oral language foundation acts as a springboard for literacy success. Children who are confident speakers tend to be more proficient readers and writers. A vocabulary-rich environment at home contributes to your child’s spelling prowess and enables them to grasp the intricacies of language more readily.

Furthermore, encouraging your child to talk and share their thoughts fosters social self-esteem. Children who feel comfortable expressing themselves are more likely to participate in classroom discussions, share their ideas, and engage confidently with peers. This positively impacts their social interactions, setting the stage for a fulfilling and well-rounded education experience.

So, how can you create a language-rich environment at home? No matter the age of your child, there are simple ways to incorporate more talk and discussion into your daily routine:

1. Early Years (0-5 years): Narrate your activities throughout the day, read books together, and ask open-ended questions. For example, while cooking, describe the ingredients and process, and ask your child what they think.
2. Primary Years (6-11 years): Engage in conversations about their school day, interests, and experiences. Encourage them to explain their thoughts and opinions. Reading together and discussing the story afterward can also be incredibly beneficial.
3. Teen Years (12+ years): Engage in debates, discussions about current events, and share your own experiences. Encourage them to articulate their viewpoints clearly and thoughtfully.
4. All Ages: – Conversation cards can be a valuable tool in assisting you to start the discussion with your child. We recommend our Pull Up A Chair conversation card packs that are suitable for all ages. The cards come in five categories, How Was Your Day? Getting To Know You, General Conversation, While We Play, and While You Play.

– Encourage children to start the conversations, by asking their siblings or you the questions to help develop their conversation skills in social interactions.
– If children are using screens, whether it be for homework, to connect with friends, for entertainment, or for downtime, in most cases, it is only receptive information. Try asking your child questions like, (adjust the questions to suit their age and interests): What was a challenge in your game today? Can you teach me a fact from your homework today? I missed the news, can you summarise the main points for me?

Remember, it’s not about using complex words, but about creating an atmosphere where talking and sharing ideas is natural and enjoyable. By embracing the power of conversation at home, you’re setting your child on a path toward literacy success, strong spelling skills, and enhanced self-esteem.

Let’s nurture the love for language and learning together!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[School/Organisation Name]

(Feel free to copy this letter and send to out to your parent and carer community.)