Reading at Home

At Eastchurch, we know how important it is for teachers and parents to work together to give your child the best start. Reading together at home is one of the easiest but most important ways in which parents and carers can help their child. As parents and carers share books with their child, they are helping to improve their child’s reading skills as well as showing them how important, valuable and enjoyable reading is. Reading has astounding benefits for children: comfort and reassurance, confidence and security, relaxation, happiness and fun. Giving a child time and full attention when reading them a story tells them they matter.

Supporting reading at home for primary school children involves creating a positive and engaging reading environment, regularly reading aloud with children, and encouraging them to choose books that interest them. It also means talking about books, practicing sight words, and utilising resources like the library and technology. We believe that teaching reading does not stop once children have gained decoding skills and that reading aloud to children is as important as listening to them read.

We involve parents and carers in as many ways as possible in supporting reading at school and at home which include:  

• Every child in our school takes home two books a week, from EYFS all the way to Year Six. One book is chosen by the child as their Reading for Pleasure text, for parents and carers to share and read with their children. The second book is chosen by the child’s teacher which matches their reading ability. In EYFS, Key Stage One and children on Rapid Catch-up, this book will be the decodable Little Wandle reading practice book to ensure progress and success is shared with the family.
   
• These books must be looked after properly, and they must be returned in the same condition that they were      taken home in. Damage and loss of books will result in a monetary fine.
   
• Our pupils are issued a blue Reading Record. Children are expected to bring their Reading Record in every day which is then signed by their class teacher. Staff use the Reading Record to communicate with parents and carers, sharing successes as well as specific and personalised targets for reading. Reading Records are valuable documents which must be looked after.

• Our school shares the research behind the importance and impact of sharing quality children’s books with parents and carers through teacher-led workshops, as well as leaflets and links posted to our School Dojo page.

• We also invite parents and carers to attend reading lessons; whether that’s Phonics, Reader’s Theatre or Reading for Pleasure time.

• We have a diverse range of books to support children’s reading within school, and this will enable every child to experience a range of authors and styles of books including non-fiction and poetry.