You can play an active role in your child’s success in FI. There are many ways you can help your child maintain literacy skills in a second language over the summer months. Support, fun, and encouragement are the biggest factors !

Read, Read, Read! Use a reward system, use stickers, establish a summer routine, use anything and everything to get your child reading. Visit the library – read with and to your child Order new books on-line as a summer gift Engage your child’s friend as a book buddy Make it fun and exciting….make it a big deal Model reading yourself….indulge in a good book while your child is reading

Comprehension Questions Ask your child about his/her reading. Simple specific questions Open questions like: why do you think…. what do you think could have happened if…what would you do instead…. Have your child retell the story in his/her own words Even if you don’t speak French it is an excellent way for your child to go deeper into comprehension skills and verify his/her understanding of the story

Summer Journal Make sure it is appealing to your child…..let your child choose the format…maybe a special notebook and a new pen or pencil Writing can include anything…..lists, recipes, what I did today…, my trip to…, my dream….etc….. Write an or letter to a friend or family member in French. Make the grocery list in French, then go read the labels in French while shopping. It might only be one sentence on some days and it may be more on other days!

French Day! Invite class friends over and have a “French Day” Listen to French songs….watch a show or movie in French…eat French food…. and, of course, speak French and have fun!

Television, Radio, Films, Music, Web Sites Some of your child’s favorite cartoons are probably available online on YouTube in French. There are also French shows online that the children enjoy. Listen to the radio in French. When watching a DVD, choose to watch it in French. Listen to some French songs and music. Use some of the French websites provided on the school blog….many contain sound and practice specific skills in French.

Visit the Library All provincial libraries have a children’s book section in French including the Confederation Center Library, the Stratford and the Cornwall Libraries. Your provincial library card also gives your access to the French Library located in the Carrefour de L’ile-St- Jean. Take advantage of all that is available in French at the Library…..Books, books on CDs, French Magazines, Music CDs, weekly activities for kids (French library) The best and cheapest way to hook your child on reading!

Summer Trips Plan a day trip on the Island to a French speaking Community like Évangeline. There are some tourist attractions and restaurants there where the children could speak French in context. Use the opportunity if you are able to go to French speaking regions of New Brunswick, Québéc, Montréal, Ottawa to speak French in context. Your child could be the interpreter for the family!

Most Importantly … Keep it light, fun, and stress-free, incorporate it as much as possible into your daily routine! Have Fun!