How can paraeducators promote literacy skills in young learners?

Paraeducators play a crucial role in promoting literacy skills among young learners, and engaging students in reading activities and phonics exercises is a highly effective approach. This method supports the development of foundational literacy skills, such as decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. Reading activities provide children with opportunities to practice their reading in an interactive way, which enhances engagement and helps to build their love for reading. Phonics exercises, on the other hand, enable students to understand the relationship between letters and sounds, which is essential for decoding words and eventually reading fluently.

The emphasis on both reading and phonics is aligned with best practices in literacy development, as these components are interrelated and contribute significantly to a child’s overall reading ability. By immersing students in varied reading experiences, paraeducators can cultivate critical thinking and comprehension skills, which are vital for academic success in all areas of study.