Is school important? Yes. But the key to literacy is not located in the school house. It is found at home.

Most parents know that it’s important to read aloud to their children. School personnel have been recommending that for years. And now comes another and equally important and powerful message from educators: Talk to your children!

Language-rich homes have been linked with success in reading and school achievement. And much of this happens before kids even register for kindergarten. So if you want your children to have a literacy edge when they enter school, do the following.

1. Beginning at birth, increase both the quantity and quality of conversations between you and your children.

2. Use rich language. (Yes, big words for small children.) The language you use is what children have to select from when they become writers and readers.

3. Retell family stories.

4. Talk about the world.

5. Talk about the future.

6. Ask questions that seek opinions.

7. It’s OK to use words children do not understand. Children learn words from usage. Use them often.

Everyone can talk to their children. And it can make a huge difference to their literacy development. Talk, talk, talk, and listen.