How schools and families can work together to boost early childhood literacy

Efforts to improve early literacy are increasingly focusing on partnerships between schools and families, as educators look for ways to address declining reading scores among young students. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called the Nation’s Report Card, showed a continued drop in average fourth grade reading scores from 2022.

Educators and researchers say that connecting classroom learning with support at home can accelerate literacy development. This involves helping families understand core elements of literacy and providing them with tools and guidance.

One example comes from a parent whose four-year-old son was eager to learn to read but needed more support than what he received in pre-K. During a parent-teacher conference, the teacher recommended using a free, ad-free literacy app used in class. Assignments on the app aligned with schoolwork and allowed the teacher to personalize instruction based on insights from at-home learning.

Research identifies five key pillars for early literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Schools can involve families by breaking down these concepts into everyday activities—such as clapping out syllables or spotting letters on road signs—rather than expecting parents to act as teachers.

Clear communication is essential for building effective partnerships. Educators are encouraged to use newsletters or informal conversations to explain what children are learning and why it matters. Sample activities provided through family communications help reinforce classwork at home.

Establishing consistent reading routines is another strategy. Families are urged to create regular moments for shared reading or storytelling in any language spoken at home. The emphasis is on making reading enjoyable rather than a chore.

Providing accessible resources—including printable activities, suggested library books, and no-cost digital platforms like Khan Academy Kids—can also empower families to support their children's literacy development without adding extra stress.

Digital tools allow teachers to monitor students’ progress both in school and at home, creating a feedback loop that helps personalize instruction further.

The approach aims not only to close achievement gaps but also foster enjoyment of reading among children by encouraging collaboration between educators and families.

"As stated by Khan Academy Kids: 'At Khan Academy Kids, we believe in the power of the school-family partnership. For free resources to help strengthen children’s literacy development, explore the Khan Academy Kids resource hub for schools.'"