Good literacy skills are vital for success at school - but often the most important foundations are laid outside the classroom. This book tells parents and carers of three to seven year olds all they need to know about how to give children the best possible start in literacy. Packed with exciting games and activities, it shows: why parental support makes such a difference; how to help a child become a good communicator; ways to encourage listening skills and why they matter; how to develop literacy through music and movement; the benefits of reading to children and telling stories; what 'phonics' is all about; and how to help children acquire the range of skills involved in learning to write. It also answers a wide range of frequently asked questions such as: Why do some children find learning to read and write easier than others? What can I do if my child appears to be having difficulty with literacy learning? How can I help my child to learn to form letters correctly? "Flying Start with Literacy" illustrates how to use simple everyday situations as powerful ways to support literacy learning. It also suggests helpful resources and lists the best websites for additional information and advice.

Offer[s] useful starting ideas if you want to contribute to your child's learning.--Sanford Lakoff
We wrote this book to tell parents everything they want to know about literacy but may not like to ask their child's teacher.--Sanford Lakoff

Following an extensive career as an early years teacher, Ros Bayley now works as an early years consultant, writer and storyteller. She has always had a strong belief in the role of parents and carers as a child's first educators and has written widely on the subject. Lynn Broadbent is now an early years adviser with a keen interest in parental involvement in education. During her time as an early years teacher she lead a wide range of exciting and innovative projects with parents and carers.