Over the school summer holidays Stocksbridge Library offered our children to take part in a reading challenge. The children had to visit the library 4 times and read at least 6 books. Children could also collect bookmarks, stickers, pencils and if they completed the reading challenge they got a certificate and medal. A huge well done to all of the children!
Reading aloud really does matter. For children whose parents / carers read to them at home for 30 minutes a day before they start school it equates to approximately 1,000 hours of listening to stories. When a parent reads a child a book to their child it creates a connection. Dad / Mum loves me, I love Dad / Mum. Dad / Mum loves stories, I love stories.
Children thrive on repetition. If done properly (bringing the story to life through expression and acting it out) then the child “begs” for the story to be read again and again.
The child has learnt how to pay attention and how to focus on and talk about something shared.
By reading aloud, the child’s parent / carer has….
· given them a breadth of vocabulary and a deep understanding of language.
· provided the child to have heard extended and elaborated sentences.
· given them knowledge of new places – real and imagined.
· given them knowledge about people and creatures who feel like they do.
· helped them inhabit the minds of others and understand that some people have different experiences and perspectives.
· given them knowledge about the narrative structure of stories – problems and resolutions, twists and turns.
· given them knowledge about how things can be compared to others.
· enabled them to learn that stories sometimes have strong messages.
· given them sensitivity to alliteration, rhyme and rhythm.
There are lots of other benefits to reading aloud with your child. It is NEVER too late to start reading together!