Reading
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
Charles William Eliot
A child's reading skills are important to their success in school as they will allow them to access the breadth of the curriculum and improve their communication and language skills. In addition, reading can be a fun and imaginative time for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them.
At Sidmouth College, we know that supporting students to become fluent, independent learners is vitally important; we want students to achieve at school and in future careers and study. Because of that, we have a number of ways to encourage students to develop their reading skills (see reading strategies).
However, to make truly outstanding progress, we also need students to read regularly at home. Please support your child by encouraging them to read every day. We would recommend 20 minutes but, of course, they can do more! They can read independently or with a parent and that shared reading is often a really positive experience. Please don’t think that just because they are at secondary level, they are too old to be read to or with! As a parent, you have such an important role to play in encouraging reading and helping your child to understand the texts they read. Here are some top tips for encouraging reading:
Charles William Eliot
A child's reading skills are important to their success in school as they will allow them to access the breadth of the curriculum and improve their communication and language skills. In addition, reading can be a fun and imaginative time for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them.
At Sidmouth College, we know that supporting students to become fluent, independent learners is vitally important; we want students to achieve at school and in future careers and study. Because of that, we have a number of ways to encourage students to develop their reading skills (see reading strategies).
However, to make truly outstanding progress, we also need students to read regularly at home. Please support your child by encouraging them to read every day. We would recommend 20 minutes but, of course, they can do more! They can read independently or with a parent and that shared reading is often a really positive experience. Please don’t think that just because they are at secondary level, they are too old to be read to or with! As a parent, you have such an important role to play in encouraging reading and helping your child to understand the texts they read. Here are some top tips for encouraging reading:
- Be interested – ask about your child’s reading
- Be sensitive – give them a chance to discuss delicate themes that arise
- Be relaxed – offer a calm, stress-free environment that cultivates enthusiasm and don’t worry if all of their book choices are not classics!
- Be an example – let your child see you reading for pleasure on a regular basis or sit and read with your child (See more ideas on reading with your child).
