Your child just got out of kindergarten. They’re probably excited about all the things they can read and write now, but what are you supposed to do? How are you supposed to help them learn that learning is complex, not just for them but for you?
And that’s the point. Learning is complex, even for kids! Don’t let this discourage you. It is possible to gain significant understanding and confidence simply by reading a few good books about various aspects of language arts.
Understanding What Language Art Is
Language arts study language and its many forms, from everyday speech to written text. Topics covered include grammar, stylistics, rhetoric, semantics, semiotics, and related fields. So it’s not exactly surprising that it’s an extensive subject area with no shortage of information! That said, it’s a difficult one to learn.
“Language arts” is a broad term that describes many different concepts used in various disciplines, from linguistics to speech to writing. What’s more, you don’t always have the luxury of a textbook or teacher to explain it to you: as parents, we have to get creative when sharing this knowledge with our children!
Everyone who uses language has an idea about what it does and how it does it. You can draw on your thoughts about language to help your child learn about language arts.
The Roots of Language Arts
Language arts has many faces and roots, but the core of its history is how we communicate with one another. Our human ancestors, who needed to share complex ideas and convey difficult emotions, used symbols. These symbols were pictograms and then writing, which developed from simple bones, stone walls, and clay tablets. For today’s children, who learn how to read early in life, this knowledge can be taken for granted.
Language Arts Tools
Specific tools are used in language arts to analyze and describe the many written and spoken language forms. These include supportive strategies such as:
- Workbooks,
- Dictionaries,
- Grammar guides,
- Structural analysis activities (like word searches, Letter memorization activities)
- Online Resources
These tools are often used in conjunction to help unravel the complex language arts process. In this way, your child can learn about the full breadth of language arts in a way that’s age-appropriate and fun!
Language Arts In Everyday Life
Most children use language arts and are being exposed to it every day. Sometimes you may even hear children talking about it — and the best way to learn is by example!
For those children who aren’t taken by their curiosity or parents’ openness to talking about it, you may need to approach language arts with a little more subtlety.
If your child begins to be interested in learning about language arts, try to encourage that by finding a language arts book or activity they can relate to.
Let your child know that learning about language arts is fun!
Language Arts In The Classroom
There are many different ways to help your child learn about language arts in school. In the classroom, you can encourage your child to learn the basic structures of language arts through activities like listening and following directions, role-play exercises such as those found in Reading Workshop, and simply asking your child what they know.
You can also work on developing their writing skills through dictation.
When it comes to language arts in school, it’s essential to balance consistency with variety and flexibility. For instance, you may see your child struggling with a concept and, at the same time, be able to notice that his performance is improving.
Again, this is an area where you’re best served by simply being open-minded and prepared to try something new.
An important part of preparing children for language arts in school is helping them understand how it fits into their overall education.
Why Is Language Arts So Important?
Language arts are a part of the English curriculum and are usually associated with spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. It’s an important subject for developing the language skills that allow us to communicate effectively. Here’s why:
1. Communication
Our society revolves around the ability to communicate and relate to others. Communication is an essential part of everyday life. Language arts allow children to learn the tools they need to communicate with others effectively. Some of these tools include listening, speaking, and writing.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Critical thinking is another important part of language arts. It allows children to consider valid information from various sources and draw conclusions from this data. It’s a lifelong skill and one that will be critical for the success of our children in college and beyond. How can you expect your child to think if they don’t know how? Language arts teach them to learn critical thinking skills by developing their vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning.
3. Productivity
Learning to express ideas effectively helps a student become more productive in life. It also helps with academic success by developing students’ people skills for school work. They will have to speak and write for their teachers, friends, and family. It’s a part of everyday life.
4. Creativity
Creativity is one of the most important traits to develop in children. Creative thinking helps students think outside the box and develop new ideas. Language arts can help students develop their creative thinking skills by offering creative activities that spark creativity in students. Teaching language arts creates environments that allow children to explore their creativity through writing, speaking, and reading assignments.
5. Imagination and Curiosity
Children naturally have a strong imagination, but it often needs further development. Language arts encourage children to imagine and dream by listening to the adventures of characters in books and stories. These stories allow children to use their imagination by reading and creating their storylines from the world of the book or story. Just look at the popularity of Harry Potter!
Tips for Helping Your Child Be Successful In Their Language Arts Lessons
So now you know why language art is an important subject. But how can you support your child in their class? Here are some tips for helping your child be successful in their language arts lessons:
1. Read to Your Child or Have Them Read to You
Make reading time a priority for both of you by making it a daily or weekly event. Reading aloud will help engage your child and make them more interested in exploring new words and topics. Also, reading to your child helps them develop their vocabulary and improve their reading skills, which will be helpful for them later in life.
2. Follow Their Lead
The best way to help your child learn language arts is by letting them take the lead! Let them read about a variety of different topics in order to expand their vocabulary and understand more about the world around them. It also connects you as you talk about what your child is learning through books and stories.
3. Look for Opportunities to Engage Your Child in Language Arts
There are tons of fun and creative language arts activities to engage your child. It’s an easy way for you to keep up with what’s going on in their world and help them to improve their language arts skills. Just look at the variety of language arts projects, games, and crafts your child could create with pictures found on Pinterest.
4. Keep Their Interest High by Limiting the Amount of Work a Child Can Do at Once
Limit your child’s workload by setting limits on assignments. It keeps them coming back to do their work because they have something to keep them busy. Also, asking them to complete tasks several days before a deadline will help them stay motivated and interested in learning new skills.
5. Encourage Them to Keep Writing Written Journal Entries
Have your child write journal entries to record new vocabulary and experiences each day. It will help them record what’s going on in their lives and think about new ideas for writing assignments.
6. Create a Space for Your Child to Write Anywhere They Want
Encourage your child to create a quiet space in their bedroom or a corner of the house where they can spend time writing each day. Make sure they have plenty of materials or tools in this space, such as pencils, paper, and a table they can write at.
7. Look for Helpful Resources at Your Local Library or School Library
Did you know that your local library can have resources to help you teach language arts and literacy at home? Check out the books and materials available at the library to help you prepare for your next assignment. They’ll also have helpful information about teaching children how to read, write, and study new languages.
Final Thoughts
Many children can learn about language arts at home, and you don’t need to be a linguistic expert or have years of teaching experience under your belt to help them.
All you need is the willingness to try! A willingness to learn and experiment will go a long way towards helping your child not just with language arts but with an overall love of learning.
That’s where Montessori Academy comes in. We’re an international school, and at Montessori Academy, we teach your child not just about language arts but about educational principles that will help them in any subject area later in life.
Like language arts, a child’s educational needs are complex. You’ll find us offering complete education solutions that cater to your child’s unique learning style. From our Montessori curriculum to our holistic approach, the key is to make learning easy and fun for you and your child.
