Why Reading Matters

Reading:

• Builds confidence in learning.

• Accesses other worlds, experiences and promotes self learning.

• Develops critical thinking and creativity.

• Opens the door to a lifelong love of books.

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How to Support Your Child’s Reading

1. Create a Positive Reading Environment

• Set a Routine: Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to reading together.

• Make it Comfortable: Choose a quiet, cosy spot free from distractions.

• Provide Choice: Let your child pick books that interest them, including from their school reading scheme.

2. Build Reading Skills with Phonics

Our school follows a structured phonics programme to build early reading skills:

• Sound it Out: Encourage your child to break words into sounds (phonemes) and blend them together.

• Practice Makes Perfect: Use the phonics materials provided by the school or resources from the Flying Start programme.

• Celebrate Success: Praise your child when they correctly sound out or recognise tricky words.

3. Foster a Love of Reading

• Be a Role Model: Show your own love of reading by sharing your favourite books or stories.

• Explore Together: Visit libraries or bookshops to discover new stories.

• Discuss Books: Ask questions about the story and characters to spark imagination and engagement.

4. Engage with Blooms Taxonomy (develop thinking skills)

To develop deeper understanding, ask your child questions at different levels:

• Remember: “What happened in the story?”

• Understand: “Why did the character do that?”

• Apply: “Can you think of a time when you felt the same?”

• Analyse: “What do you think will happen next and why?”

• Evaluate: “Did you like the story? Why or why not?”

• Create: “Can you make up a different ending?”

5. Read Widely and Repeatedly

• Re-read Favourites: Familiar books build confidence and fluency.

• Be a Reading Family: model to children your love of reading.  If you have had difficult experiences with reading that is okay; use it as a super-weapon and learn with your child.  Reading can start anywhere: a child's comic, a recipe, a news article - https://www.firstnews.co.uk/, visit a library.

• Try Non-Fiction: Explore books about animals, history, or science to spark curiosity.

• Share Poetry and Rhymes: These are great for developing rhythm and language.

Common Questions

What if my child struggles?

• Stay patient and positive. Take turns reading or act out parts of the story together.

• Speak with your child’s teacher for additional support or resources.

• Reading is a journey and all children have different starting points.  Measure progress from their starting points, try not to worry if other children seem further on

Should I correct mistakes?

• If it’s a tricky word, help them sound it out. If it’s a small mistake that doesn’t change the meaning, let it go to keep confidence high.

How can I find suitable books?

• Use the school reading scheme as a guide and visit the Flying Start website for ideas and resources.

Quick Tips for Busy Parents

• Keep it fun and relaxed.

• Encourage reading everywhere — signs, recipes, or shopping lists.

• Celebrate progress, no matter how small!

By making reading a daily habit, you’re giving your child a flying start in school and in life. Thank you for being a partner in your child’s learning journey!