Reading

Why Read?

Reading is one of the most important and enjoyable ways of spending time with your child. From an early age the combination of pictures and words is a close relationship, which echoes the relationship between parent and child. It is an experience which can be shared with brothers, sisters, grannies and granddads – the circle of people important in your family.

Reading is also a key skill. Research shows that better primary school readers do better academically – the link is clear even in high school.

Progress in Reading

From their first picture book, your child will look at the pictures while listening to the text you read aloud. This leads to surprising and stimulating shared conversations between the both of you, as text and pictures are explored. In the best picture books there is often a mysterious gap between the pictures and the words, a gap that is filled by your child’s imagination.

As your child grows up they may need a little more encouragement to read. It’s good if your child sees you reading –anything from books, letters and e-mails to recipes, newspapers and magazines. Their interest in reading will change and expand so ensure they have access to a variety of texts.

In school, we use ‘Accelerated Reader’, which encourages children to enjoy reading and then answer a series of questions about the text.  Records are kept and if the children answer 100% of the questions correctly, they can then move onto the next book or the next level. If they score 80% they may read a further one or two books at the same level before they progress to the next level.

Helping at home

It’s best to read little and often, so try to put aside some time for it every day no matter how old your child is. Naturally, the older the child, the more likely they are to want to read by themselves. Approximately 10 minutes a day is great in those early days when your child is in EYFS/KS1, progressing to 20-30 minutes a day when your child is in KS2. Children can read anything – signs, posters, comics, magasines, annuals, game instructions, recipes etc. can all be used alongside books.

Reading Tips!

• Encourage your child to pretend to ‘read’ a book before he or she can read words.
• Visit the library as often as possible – take out CDs and DVDs as well as books.
• Schedule a regular time for reading – perhaps when you get home from school or just before bed.
• Buy dual-language books if English isn’t your family’s first language – you can talk about books and stories, and develop a love for them, in any language.
• Look for books on topics that you know your child is interested in – maybe dragons, insects, cookery or a certain sport.
• Make sure that children’s books are easily accessible in different rooms around your house.
• Provide a quiet, cosy space where your child can concentrate and really enjoy their reading time.

Why not join the local library?

Sandbach library: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries/nearest_library/sandbach_library.aspx

Crewe library: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries/nearest_library/crewe_library.aspx

The Booktrust

Click on the link to find out more about helping you child to read. There are lots of ideas about reading with children of all ages [including advice for dads], booklists, clubs and blogs.  It’s well worth a look.

Netmums

The netmums document has advice about reading,as well as links to games you may remember from your youth. You may also like to follow the link to the webpage here.

Files To Download

Booktime – ideas for reading with reception aged children
Top ten tips to help your child read – from netmums