Our playworkers often like to read a story to children at the start of the day. We’ve discovered that there’s no more calming way to start the day than by reading a story to the children- or even sometimes letting them read the story to us! It just sets the tone of the day nicely.
During quieter moments at provisions, we also listen to children read, and our playworkers can make a record of it in the children’s reading diaries. We place so much emphasis on the ability to read, we consider it an essential skill.
But why is reading so important in children’s lives?
Communication is one reason why we encourage a love of reading in children- if they can read they can explore their worlds, their feelings, they can find a niche of interest that appeals to them, they can learn. But fundamentally, reading is so much more than just understanding the written word. Reading is a key component of imagination!
Much like any skill, comprehension and reading (which are closely intertwined, though some individuals can recite words/phonemes with no comprehension- that is, understanding- of what they’re saying) can be built on. We all start as novice’s, no one is born with the ability to read, it is something we learn. But by practicing it regularly, and learning it while young (this is not a pre-requisite; it is thought that 7.1 million adults do not have ‘adequate’ reading skills/comprehension in the UK, but it is never too late to learn and keep building on reading ability), reading can become almost second nature to children, meaning they will always have that key skill firmly embedded in their mind.
Indeed, reading is such an important aspect of life, such a valuable ability to possess, that McDonald’s even regularly gives out book tokens with their children’s Happy Meals! It just highlights the significance of reading in the world.
Building reading into night-time routines can even have a positive effect on children’s sleeping patterns, as well as their relationship with the person who is reading. It’s currently estimated that only 44% of parents/caregivers read to children aged 5-7 years on a daily basis. The reason suggested for this alarmingly low statistic is that there is a general attitude of ‘the kids are reading in school’, while this is accurate to an extent, this belief forgets the emotional side of reading. Reading a favourite book, with your favourite person, can become a very special memory indeed.
While schools and teachers can provide more specialised/personalised advice on what to read with your children, we would like to make some recommendations as to books which may be enjoyed by children in the two key stages of primary school education- these lists are not exhaustive but do include some very beautiful stories. Book recommendations by Key Stage:
Key Stage 1:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Katie Morag by Mairi Hedderwick
Key Stay 2:
The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Coming to England by Floella Benjamin
The Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine
Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett
Links to further information:
Reading to children is so powerful, so simple and yet so misunderstood | National Literacy Trust