RP Rocket Phonics Parent Guide - Web - Updated Nov24 - Flipbook - Page 9
Top tips to support your child’s
reading at home
1. Read as regularly as you can at home
Reading at home is just as important as reading at school.
It gives children a chance for extra practice (which is always a
good thing!) and the opportunity to develop a language-rich
environment at home.
Did you know?
Children who read
outside of school every
day are five times as
likely to read above the
expected level compared
with those who don’t.
Read to your child. This may sound obvious but showcasing
your love of reading and giving your child the opportunity to
listen to you read is just as valuable as them reading to you.
Some parents may think that reading at home is all about
Let’s get reading!
hearing your child read, which is a very important part of
developing their reading skills, however allowing them into your
world of reading creates a new, exciting experience that will boost their love of books.
2. Build reading into your child’s daily routine
Find a regular time for reading in your child’s day, so that they can start to expect it as part
of their regular routine. It can be any time: before bed, after dinner, or in the morning after
breakfast when they have more energy.
Don’t get caught up with how much time your child spends reading – if they need a break
that is completely fine! Reading can require a lot of mental effort and stamina, especially
during the early stages and we don’t want to ‘put children off’ by forcing them to continue
reading when they need a rest.
Your child doesn’t need to read an entire book in one go. Taking regular breaks will give
your child a chance to gradually build their reading stamina and soon they will be able to
read for longer.
3. Encourage reading a variety of materials
Don’t feel like your child only has to read books.
They can read anything and everything – get creative!
Magazines, newspapers, recipes, game instructions –
the list is endless!
When you are out and about there are so many things
that we read automatically and successfully using our
reading skills without even realising! Encourage your
child to read things like road names and signs, shop
names, bus and train timetables, posters and leaflets.
This will support your child’s application of the sounds
that they know to real life.
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