Reading at Home
How can you help at home?
Top Reading Tips
1. First and foremost-Enjoy reading! Make it fun and entertaining.
2. Explore different types of books.
3. Take turns to read- try a page each.
4. Talk about the book and ask your child questions.
5. Pay attention to the language in the book- do you need to clarify any words?
6. Sit somewhere comfy. Make it as cosy as you like.
Be a Reading Role Model
We need to make sure that the children see us reading. Magazines, novels, comics, recipes... the list of things we read as adults is endless. Ensure you involve your child when you can.
The more children see the adults around them reading, the more they will consider doing it themselves.
Have a go at the amazing STORYMAKER game – become a 30-second author!
Make it Fun! Look at this list of reading for fun ideas that might make you think twice about what reading actually is – it’s not just about books!
Mr Stanton regularly reads a bedtime story on his YouTube channel. Please have a look at the video below. Check back to see which book he is currently reading!
Book Talk
Sometimes, children will just want to sit and listen to a book purely for enjoyment. This is completely fine, there is no need to quiz them after every chapter that they read!
However, sometimes a 'chat' about the book can be a great way to discuss what has been read. Picture books lend themselves well to informal book talk because children want to explore and discuss the pictures within, which often tell us more than the words.
Free Classics below...
For the more mature readers, download out-of-copyright classics from Project Gutenberg to your tablet.
Smashbooks is an American site packed with free books that you can download.
Allow Their Choices!
If you feel that your child is 'stuck' on a particular author or genre and you need book recommendations, speak to your child's class teacher. You could also have look at the KS1 and KS2 tube maps below.
You could visit Toppsta which is a children's book review site. If your child isn’t used to choosing what to read, or they’re looking for new inspiration, let them loose on Toppsta!
Above all though, communicate with your child's teacher. Ask them for ideas to encourage reluctant readers, book recommendations and reading games you can play.