INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 309
DEVELOPING LITERACY SKILLS OF EARLY SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITHIN
THE FAMILY
Maftuna Mukhidinovna Mamedova
Lecturer at the Department of Preschool Education
Gulbahor Botirovna Khabibova
Student of the 1MT-24K group, Preschool Education Organization
Annotation:
This article discusses the importance, methods, and parental role in developing
literacy skills in early school-age children within the family environment. The concept of
literacy is thoroughly explained, with a focus on the significance of a supportive home learning
environment and parental responsibility.
Keywords:
Literacy, early school age, family, child upbringing, reading skills, parental role,
learning environment.
The literacy level of early school-age children is directly influenced not only by the school
learning process but also by the family environment. A child begins to develop primary literacy
skills within the family. The family provides the first insights into language, oral speech,
listening, reading, and writing. Therefore, special attention must be paid to enhancing literacy
within the family. This article explores methods of developing literacy in children at home, the
role of the family, and the responsibilities of parents.
Early school age includes children between the ages of 6 and 10. During this period, children's
curiosity, mental activity, memory, attention, and thinking develop rapidly. Children at this age
are open to new experiences, tend to imitate, and are highly observant. It is crucial to strengthen
the foundations of literacy during this time. A child's attitude toward reading is heavily
influenced by the atmosphere in the family. If parents read books, children tend to imitate them.
At this age, visual and auditory learning methods are especially effective.
Literacy
is the ability to read, write, construct speech, and express thoughts clearly. It consists
of the following components:
Phonemic awareness:
identifying and recognizing sounds in words.
Graphic literacy:
recognizing letters and writing them correctly.
Lexical literacy:
developing vocabulary.
Text comprehension skills:
understanding, analyzing, and retelling the text.
The family plays a key role in forming all these components. It is the child's first social
environment. If reading books, asking and answering questions, and learning together are
common practices at home, the child is more likely to develop literacy skills. According to
research, children who read with their parents for 15–20 minutes a day demonstrate
significantly higher reading speed and comprehension.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 310
Important factors in the family learning environment include:
Parents’ positive attitude and patience
Availability of age-appropriate books at home
Parents serving as role models (e.g., reading books, speaking literately)
Encouraging the child (through praise or small rewards)
The role of parents in developing a child’s literacy at home is invaluable. Reading books
together, asking questions, and discussing answers expand the child’s vocabulary and thinking
skills. Reading and explaining fairy tales helps children understand word meanings more deeply.
Parents can organize small writing activities, such as encouraging children to keep a journal
with entries like “What did I do today?” This helps develop both writing and structured
thinking.
Games also play a key role in developing literacy, such as:
Word riddles
Creating words from letters
These activities increase interest and turn learning into a joyful process.
The family’s influence on literacy development includes forming the child’s moral, spiritual,
and cultural perspective. Children raised in families where reading and writing are valued
generally become literate more quickly. For example, a family tradition of evening reading
sessions motivates the child to read and expands their vocabulary.
Practical steps include:
Regular reading:
At least 15 minutes a day of reading together, including stories and
age-appropriate articles.
Q&A sessions:
Asking comprehension questions like, “Why did the character do that?”
or “Did you like the story?”
Vocabulary development:
Learning 1–2 new words a day and using them in sentences.
Writing tasks:
Writing short stories or daily journals based on their life or drawings.
Creative assignments:
Memorizing poems, writing short stories, and inventing
scenarios from images enhance cognitive skills.
Today, digital resources can also support literacy. Age-appropriate interactive games, mobile
apps, and audiobooks are useful tools—but should be used under supervision and in moderation.
Key responsibilities of parents:
Encourage literacy development.
Support the learning process patiently.
Cooperate with teachers and the school.
Provide access to books and educational materials.
Recognize and motivate the child's achievements consistently.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 311
Literacy development is one of the most crucial tasks of childhood. The family serves as the
strongest and most influential environment in this process. When parents support their child's
first steps in reading and writing, they lay the foundation for future academic success. A child
who loves to read and can express their thoughts clearly becomes an active and successful
member of society.
During early school age, the nervous system continues to develop, and mental processes like
memory and attention strengthen. According to psychologists, literacy skills formed between
ages 6–10 leave a lasting impression and benefit the child throughout life. Literacy is not only
knowledge but an essential skill for success. Daily and consistent efforts at home are critical to
a child's progress. Parents are a child's first teachers.
Major reforms in the education sector are underway in our country. Recently, in a video
conference, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of education, particularly
school education. He noted that the Third Renaissance begins at the school threshold,
highlighting the central role of effective communication in education.
Children entering primary school often lack fully developed communication skills. Improving
communication in this phase also fosters moral values. During early school years, children’s
social behavior changes significantly. They begin to communicate with purpose. This is
influenced by both the teacher’s active role and peer interactions.
There are different levels of communicative ability among early school-age students: from
hyper-communicative (talkative) to shy or unengaged students who hesitate to participate. Most
communication skills are shaped in the family and preschool years. For instance, a child who
learns to greet others and express gratitude at home will bring these skills into the classroom.
However, adapting to school social dynamics and interacting with peers often occurs gradually.
Some children may feel shy about speaking up in front of classmates but express themselves
freely at home. These behaviors are part of the adjustment process.
References:
1. Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures for radical
improvement of the preschool education system" PQ-361, September 9, 2018.
2. Sodiqova Sh.A. “Preschool Pedagogy,” Fan va Texnologiya. Tashkent, 2017.
3. Maftuna M. "Shaping the Personal Characteristics of Preschool Children in the Family" //
Involta Scientific Journal. – 2022. – Vol. 1. – No. 4. – pp. 266-274.
4. Mukhidinovna M.M. "Shaping the Social Characteristics of Preschool and Early School
Age Children in the Family" // Journal of Management and Ethics Rules Online. – 2022. –
Vol. 2. – No. 2. – pp. 103-107.
5. Mukhidinovna M.M. "Preschool Education System and Family Cooperation in the
Formation of Social Characteristics" // European Journal of Innovation in Nonformal
Education. – 2022. – Vol. 2. – No. 2. – pp. 267-270.
