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"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
Why is reading so important?
Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a big difference to children’s educational performance. Likewise, evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who do not, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.
In fact, reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.
What difference can I make as a parent?
You can make a huge difference! Parents are the most important educators in a child’s life – even more important than their teachers – and it is never too early to start reading together.
Even before they were born, babies learn to recognise their parents' voices. Reading to your baby from birth, even for just a few minutes a day, gives them the comfort of hearing your voice and increases their exposure to language.
Building vocabulary and understanding
Learning to read is about listening and understanding, as well as working out what is printed on the page. Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a wide range of words. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read. It is important for them to understand how stories work too. Even if your child does not understand every word, they will hear new sounds, words and phrases which they can then try out, copying what they have heard.
Irrespective of whether your child is only just beginning to learn to read or whether they are fluent, you can play an important role in helping to keep them interested in books. Find out what interests them, help them to find books that will be engaging and fun, and spend time reading the books they bring home from school together.
Reading at St Joseph's
Reading is a vital key skill, which is fundamental to functioning in today's society. In school, we ensure that reading is weaved into all curriculum areas and that it is happening daily in a range of ways. We ensure that all learning 'themes,' across all year groups, are underpinned by a quality text. We aim to encourage a love of reading, offering children daily opportunities to become immersed in a range of quality literature.
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
Please ensure your child brings their reading book and planner/ learning journal to school every day, so that all reading can be recorded and reading at home can be recognised with a stamp.