Spotlight on Literacy

Strive for 5: Stretch the Conversation!

Last month, we introduced “Strive for 5,” a simple strategy that encourages adults to turn everyday conversations with children into meaningful back-and-forth exchanges. Remember, the goal is not to have a long or complicated conversation—it’s simply to keep the conversation going!

Why Do Conversations Matter?

Children build the language skills they need for reading and learning through conversations. When children talk with adults, they have opportunities to hear new words, explain their thinking, make connections, and express their ideas.

The “Strive for 5” approach encourages adults to move beyond questions that can be answered with one word or a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, we can listen, respond, and add something new to keep children talking and thinking.

What Does “Strive for 5” Look Like?

Imagine your child tells you:

Child: “I saw a dog at the park.”

Instead of responding with “Was it big?” and ending the conversation, try to stretch the conversation:

Adult: “You saw a dog at the park? Tell me about it.”
Child: “It was really big and brown.”
Adult: “A big brown dog! What was it doing?”
Child: “It was playing fetch.”
Adult: “What happened when the owner threw the ball?”

That’s five back-and-forth turns—and notice that the adult is not doing all the talking! The child is doing the thinking, explaining, and describing.

October Parent Tip: Follow Your Child’s Lead

One important idea in Strive for 5 is that meaningful conversations don't have to be planned ahead of time. Follow your child’s lead and build on what interests them.

Listen carefully to what your child says. Then, instead of immediately changing the subject or supplying the answer, respond to their idea.

The key is simple: Listen → Respond → Add → Ask → Keep it going!

Try:

Repeat and expand: “You went to the zoo. You went to the zoo to see the animals!”
Add information: “Yes, that animal is called a giraffe. Giraffes have very long necks.”
Ask for more: “Tell me more about that.”
Make a connection: “That reminds me of when we saw a deer in our backyard.”
Encourage thinking: “Why do you think that happened?”

These simple responses help children hear richer language and encourage them to use more language themselves.

This Month’s Challenge

The next time your child starts a conversation, pause what you are doing, listen closely, and see if you can reach five back-and-forth turns.