Homes+and+Communities

 In today's society, many children do not live in homes with small nuclear families. Some children have grown up with their grandparents, step mums or dads, step siblings, foster parents or other care givers. Some change homes every weekend, live with extended families or speak another language. The point is each child is different and their home environment in which they grow up in, has an impact on the language and literacy knowledge they bring with them to school (Hill. S, 2006, p 50).
 * __The Changing Family __**

__**Case Study **__

Looking at two children, one who comes from a typical nuclear family with both parents and another sibling (A), and the other who's parents are divorced and on many occasions lives with their grandparents (B).

Child (A), gets read a minimum of 3 books every day. Activities are set up at home, eg word puzzles, letter of the week- and each activity that is completed starts with that letter. Other activities include making letters with playdough, laminating letters for the child to trace over and wipe away, magnetic letters on the fridge, LeapFrog toys that sing the sounds and alphabet and child (A) also has literacy computer games. Child (A)'s parents are so involved with the development of their child and set up activities all relating to literacy.

Child (B), gets read one book every fortnight. Child (B)'s parent's are constantly fighting, cursing and using bad language. The literacy development is neglected by the parents and child (B) is generally left in the care of the grandparents. Child (B) is between two different homes and the parents don't set up activities in order for any learning or development.

Comparing both these children, child (A)'s literacy skills are going to be much more developed. Being brought up in a home that provides a learning centre is going to develop their literacy skills much faster. Language skills in reading, writing and speaking are going to be far greater than that of child (B) whose only learning centre is going to be the school they attend.

So the type of home enviroment that a child is brought up in is going to have a huge impact on that child's language development. This kind of diversity is one in which teachers have a challenge on. 