Home Literacy Environment Checklist (page 3)

You are your child's first teacher. Your home is where your child will get his or her first experiences with books and reading. Look around your home and think about what you do with your child. If the statement on the checklist is true, place a check in the "true" column. If the statement is false, place a check in the "false" column. When you are finished, count up the number of checks in the true column and find that number on the chart at the end of the checklist. Use the results as a guideline to see what you can do for your child.

What my child has...

My child has at least one alphabet book (e.g., Dr. Seuss's ABCbook).
My child has magnetized alphabet letters to play with.
My child has crayons and pencils readily available for writing and drawing.
My child has paper readily available for writing and drawing.
My child has a table or surface readily available for writing or drawing.
My child has at least one rhyme book (e.g., Joseph Slate's Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten).
My child has more than one rhyme book.
My child has at least 10 picture books.
My child has at least 20 picture books.
My child has at least 50 picture books.
My child plays beginning reading and alphabet games on a computer (e.g., Reader Rabbit or Bailey's Book House).
My child has materials and games to help learn the alphabet.

What I or another adult do...

I or another adult in the house read a picture book with my child at least once a week.
I or another adult in the house read a picture book with my child at least four times a week.
I or another adult in the house teach new words to my child at least once a week.
I or another adult in the house teach new words to my child nearly every day.
I or another adult in the house have a detailed and informative conversation with my child at least once
a week. (e.g., "How do you think ice cream is made?").
I or another adult in the house have a detailed and informative conversation with my child nearly every day.
I or another adult in the house help my child learn nursery rhymes.
I or another adult in the house encourage my child to tell me what he or she wants using complete sentences.
I or another adult in the house take my child to the library or a bookstore at least once every two months.