“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss.

An exciting new initiative In the Primary school has begun with Reading Club now on each day at second break in the library. Since Reading Club began last week there is currently anything between 30 – 50 passionate readers visiting the library each day and it is a wonderful time of quiet reading. A number of teachers and I run these sessions and we read with different students each day.

Reading with comprehension is imperative for success at school and it is the main learning focus in the Primary school. Reading is also the main activity for homework.

Parents and carers who read aloud with children in a secure, safe and comfortable context motivate their children to read. Parents’ perceptions, values, attitudes, and expectations play an important role in influencing their children’s attitudes toward reading, and subsequent literacy development.

When children share a book with someone who makes them feel special, the attitude that reading is pleasurable is transferred to other reading encounters.

Outlined below are some of the benefits of reading together with your child each day.
(PETAA- Primary English Teaching Association Australia)

Relationship building

At the core of reading is a relationship and it is the bond between children and parents that is enhanced through reading together. It only takes ten minutes a day to build this relationship.

Children’s reading improves

The research is conclusive: When parents successfully support their children’s literacy learning from an early age, everyone benefits. When teachers and parents work together to support children’s reading and academic success, learning outcomes for all children improve.

Children read more

Students who read with their parents are better prepared for school. They begin school with knowledge of book language and familiarity with concepts of print. They understand how books work and have many more exposures to text types and vocabulary.

Children’s self-esteem improves

Knowing someone cares enough to take time out of a busy schedule to give you undivided attention around a book makes a significant difference to how students perceive themselves as learners and readers. When parents show an interest in their children’s learning, children respond positively.

Reading unites families through shared stories

When a family reads together, stories form a common ground for communicating. Stories bind families and help students makes sense of where they fit in the world.

Not only does parent involvement have a specific and profound impact on children’s reading, but also on children’s language and literacy learning in general. It is through interactions with parents and carers that children learn new vocabulary, seek clarification of new understandings, and learn to comprehend their expanding worlds.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to reading together with your child.

Gail Mitchell, Head of Primary