TOP TIPS

for supporting

Reading

What Good Readers Do

See images.

Hear a reading voice.

Predict what will happen next.

Speculate.

Ask questions – tease at puzzles.

Pass comments.

Feel.

Empathise.

Re-read.

Relate what they have read to their own experience.

Pass judgements – likes and dislikes.

Relate what they have read to their previous reading experience.

Top Tips For Encouraging Reading

Let your child see you as a reader.

Do encourage your child to choose his/her own books.

Go into a bookshop with your child and buy a book that your child wants.

Visit the library.
Let them read their favourite types of books and favourite authors.

Understand that book covers are important. If books are attractive children will want to read them.

Encourage them to read books with audio-tapes.

Don’t assume that just because you enjoyed the book - they will.

Look out for books that have won awards.

Encourage them to read whatever you can - not just story books.

Subscribe to a magazine of your child’s interest or hobby.

Find books about issues that your child may be worried about.

Use CD ROMs and the Internet.  This interactive approach to reading is very effective.

Create reading space and insist on at least 10 minutes per day.

Make the time to ask your child about their reading.

Read with your child at least once a week.

Before reading:

Why have you chosen this text?

What kind of text is it?

What do you already know about the text?

Does it have anything in common with any other texts you have read?

Does it have any relation to your own experiences?

What do you expect from this text?

How should you approach reading this text?

During reading:Who is the voice of the text?

What is the style of the text?

Is the vocabulary mostly familiar? What words are unfamiliar?

How can you work out…?

What have you learnt about…?

What pictures do you see in your mind?

What do you think about…?

How do you imagine … feels?

Why do you think … does …?

What is the author suggesting about…?

How does the organisation of the text help you?

What do the images show you? Why are they there?

What do you think might happen next?

After reading:

What did you like/dislike about the text? How did it make you feel?

Did anything surprise you about the text?

Do you need/want to re-read any part of the text?

What have you learnt from what you’ve read?

Would you like to continue with this text?

How do you think the text might continue?

Are you left with any questions in your head?

Parent Power 

As a parent you are a very powerful person. How you raise your child will have a profound effect on their whole life.

Ways to support your child

• Support and attend school events                            
• Take an interest in their work
• Keep in contact with their class teacher
• Hear them read regularly
• Encourage them to complete homework
• Reinforce our high expectations for work, good behaviour and enjoyment.
• Communicate through the home school diary.

 USEFUL LINKS FOR PARENTS - opens a new window 

 The Parents Centre - Helping you to help your child  

BBC Parenting Site - Advice for parents of primary aged children  

Resources to help your child

Practical tips on helping with childrens' school work

School Holidays - Activities and events