Families with children in Ottawa's Catholic schools have a new set of online tools to help build reading and writing skills at home.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) has created two Literacy at Home websites, one for Kindergarten to Grade 6 and another for Grades 7 to 12, giving parents and guardians practical tips, activities and resources, according to the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

Everyday moments matter

The board says the sites were developed by its literacy team and are meant to give families a closer look at what students are learning in school, along with ideas they can use outside the classroom. Parents do not need to be literacy experts to make a difference, the board adds.

For younger children, the board points to everyday moments as some of the best opportunities to build reading skills. Reading together, playing word games or talking about a favourite story can all help young learners develop confidence.

The Kindergarten to Grade 6 site is filled with ideas families can use to encourage reading and writing at home, whether that means a bedtime story, a trip to the library or helping a child work through a tricky word.

Support for older students

As students move through intermediate and secondary school, they draw on reading, writing and comprehension skills in nearly every subject, the board notes — from understanding a science assignment to researching a topic or expressing their own ideas.

The Grades 7 to 12 site offers families ways to stay involved as their children become more independent learners. Older students may not need someone to read with them at bedtime, but they still benefit from encouragement, such as asking about a book, discussing something they have read or taking an interest in what they are learning.

Partnership between home and school

The board says the websites are another way to strengthen the partnership between schools and families, giving parents and guardians helpful resources they can turn to when they need them.

Helping a child become a stronger reader or writer does not require setting aside hours for extra lessons, the board adds. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing a story, having a conversation or encouraging a child to read about something they love.

Links to both websites can also be found on the Parents page of every OCSB school website.