Reading with your child at home

Reading with your child at home

Reading is important

Reading has always been an important skill. In our modern world it is more important than ever.

Children learn about the importance of reading as they watch family members use reading and writing for everyday purposes.

Reading with your child at home will help your child in all learning areas at school.

Children see you reading and writing in everyday life – reading for pleasure,, using a recipe, making a shopping list, writing a birthday card or reading a street sign. This teaches children that reading and writing are useful skills in today’s world.

Often parents are asked by the school to listen to their child read at home. It’s a good way of supporting your child’s reading but reading to your child is equally important . Be confident that your child will learn to read.

What can I do at home to help?

• Be yourself. Involve children in everyday conversations. Talk to new babies as if they understand every word you say!

• Read aloud to children. It helps them to learn the language of books. Read together and make reading an enjoyable, shared activity.

• Make sure there is a wide range of reading material for your child at home. Join your local library.It’s free!

• Try not to let television intrude on reading time. Make a special time each day when you can give your full attention to reading with your child.

• Talk with your child about what they have read. Talk about what happened in a story. Ask about what new information they found.

• Listen to your child read every day, even for a short time.

• Give books as treats and presents.