Primary Times Warwickshire & Solihull Back to School 2019
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<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> <strong>Warwickshire</strong> & <strong>Solihull</strong><br />
Launching the<br />
love of reading<br />
From Reception class <strong>to</strong> a lifetime of s<strong>to</strong>ries, we team up with the BookTrust<br />
on the importance of reading at home… and we creep inside ‘The Cave’<br />
Tips for reading<br />
at home with them:<br />
Set aside some time<br />
Use funny voices<br />
Find a quiet spot without<br />
screens<br />
Let them choose the book<br />
Point <strong>to</strong> the pictures<br />
Research shows that reading frequency<br />
and enjoyment often drops as children<br />
get older and regular s<strong>to</strong>ry-time at home<br />
s<strong>to</strong>ps. Without the support of shared family<br />
reading, kids’ interest can easily decline and<br />
starting school can be a key time for this <strong>to</strong><br />
happen – particularly when books begin <strong>to</strong><br />
be associated with the challenging task of<br />
learning <strong>to</strong> read.<br />
Practical tips for encouraging reluctant<br />
readers and how <strong>to</strong> make reading at home<br />
a happy habit include creating a reading<br />
corner (if you have the space) and a reading<br />
hour, and c<strong>amp</strong>aigns like ‘Time <strong>to</strong> read’<br />
offer additional ideas. Parents and carers<br />
are encouraged <strong>to</strong> keep making that allimportant<br />
time <strong>to</strong> read with their children in<br />
order <strong>to</strong> keep their love of s<strong>to</strong>ries alive now,<br />
and as they get older. As we all know, this can<br />
sometimes be a struggle when screens and<br />
<strong>to</strong>ys are competing for our children’s attention.<br />
As we go back <strong>to</strong> school, the BookTrust takes<br />
on a huge challenge <strong>to</strong> help children and<br />
parents everywhere read more at home – it<br />
distributes a book <strong>to</strong> every single reception<br />
age pupil, which is around 700,000 children!<br />
Local authorities receive the books and share<br />
them with Reception classes and Reception<br />
aged children who are home schooled.<br />
“Each year we distribute around 3.4 million<br />
books <strong>to</strong> children and families. But it’s not<br />
just about reaching children with books –<br />
it’s about engaging families and children<br />
in reading; reminding them why it matters<br />
and encouraging them <strong>to</strong> find the time<br />
for reading for pleasure because it makes<br />
such a difference <strong>to</strong> children’s lives and<br />
development,” the BookTrust <strong>to</strong>ld us.<br />
What could be a more joyful way of<br />
kickstarting a child’s reading journey than<br />
receiving a free book in the first few days at<br />
school? Feedback from parents and schools<br />
has flooded in since the free books were<br />
first handed out four years ago; proving that<br />
receiving a physical book makes a difference<br />
<strong>to</strong> a child’s reading journey.<br />
“The feedback from teachers and families is<br />
incredible. Every year, parents get in <strong>to</strong>uch <strong>to</strong><br />
tell us how much their children loved the s<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
and how excited they were <strong>to</strong> talk about it.<br />
“One parent even <strong>to</strong>ld us that her son loved<br />
his Time <strong>to</strong> Read copy of The Bumblebear so<br />
much that all he wanted <strong>to</strong> speak about for<br />
months afterwards was bees!”<br />
Sometimes the Time <strong>to</strong> Read book is the<br />
first a child has ever owned and teachers<br />
often recount how proud their pupils were<br />
<strong>to</strong> receive their very own book, something<br />
special just for them.<br />
Maybe your Reception aged child<br />
has their copy? We hope you enjoy<br />
reading it <strong>to</strong>gether and sharing it with<br />
any older siblings.<br />
The Cave is a<br />
clever and fun<br />
book. It has a<br />
clear s<strong>to</strong>ryline<br />
which keeps<br />
the reader<br />
guessing until<br />
the end and<br />
has lots of<br />
detail in the<br />
pictures, so<br />
it’s one that<br />
will be read<br />
time and<br />
time again.<br />
10<br />
BACK TO SCHOOL <strong>2019</strong> | www.primarytimes.co.uk/warwickshire