Reading Support

Home reading

Children are given a range of different books to read at home frequently. The books that are used for home reading are age appropriate and matched with a child’s phonics learning/reading ability depending on the age and ability of the child. Parents are expected to sign reading records and teachers check these at least weekly. Rewards are giving for those regularly reading at home. Workshops are offered to parents to help support with home reading.

Love of reading

Here at OSPA we take every opportunity to promote a love of reading. We purchase new books every year and each classroom has their own book corners with book banded books as well as a range of fiction and non-fiction appropriate for the age group. We hold reading events throughout the year such as Read Inns where parents and children are invited to share books together. We also attend the Grimsby library regularly.

Early Years

In the Early Years, English is taught through a mixture of adult-led inputs and child-initiated play. It includes talking about books, print in the environment, early mark making and writing, as well as sharing books and singing songs and rhymes.

The children in the Early Years follow the Power of Reading.

  • In Nursery the focus is predominantly on the children’s communication and language development. The children have discussions about the text and illustrations, predict what the story may be about, describe the setting and characters and explore new vocabulary
  • In Reception the books are used to open up a range of learning opportunities. The children retell and re-enact the story in a variety of ways, engage in discussions about the text and ask questions, develop an understanding of story structure, explore new vocabulary and learn to write for meaning and purpose in narrative and non-narrative forms.

Resources to support at home:

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/storybooks-and-games/

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/

10 Tips on Hearing Your Child Read

As parents have an important part to play in helping your child to learn to read, here are some suggestions as to how you can help to make this a positive experience

Set aside a quiet time with no distractions. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually long enough.

Make reading an enjoyable experience. Sit with your child. Try not to pressurise if he or she is reluctant. If your child loses interest then move on.

If your child mispronounces a word do not interrupt immediately. Instead allow opportunity for self-correction. Encourage them to “sound out” the words using the sounds they have learnt in phonics.

If your child says something nearly right to start with that is fine. Don’t say ‘No. That’s wrong,’ but ‘Let’s read it together’ and point to the words as you say them. Boost your child’s confidence with constant praise for even the smallest achievement.

Encourage your child to use the public library regularly.

Try to read with your child on most school days. ‘Little and often’ is best.

Try to communicate regularly with positive comments and any concerns via the Reading Record Card. Your child will then know that you are interested in their progress and that you value reading.

There is more to being a good reader than just being able to read the words accurately. Just as important is being able to understand what has been read. Always talk to your child about the book; about the pictures, the characters, how they think the story will end, and their favourite part. You will then be able to see how well they have understood and you will help them to develop good comprehension skills.

Remember children need to experience a variety of reading materials eg. picture books, hard backs,comics, magazines, poems and information books.

Let your child hold the book, turn the pages and choose the location of the reading time.