By Mr Rob Storrie, Head of Primary
We recently held a parent workshop about the benefits of home reading and how to encourage that at home. The workshop addressed the six components of reading (Oral Language, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Reading Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension) and how parents can practically help their child at home with these components. Parents were able to learn from Renae Watkins, an Educational Consultant from the AIS who is running our Primary Reading Project for our Primary Teachers. Renae was able to unpack current research and make it practical for families at home.
One parent said,
As a parent I am passionate about my kids’ education, so I attended the reading workshop. The presentation was informative and covered topics such as current, research-based teaching methods, literacy programs used by the school, practical strategies for how we, as parents, can support our child’s learning at home.
Parents can play a crucial role in fostering a love of reading at home and parents have three important roles to make this happen.
- Reading to your child
- Reading with your child
- Listening to your child read
Reading aloud offers several benefits. It improves comprehension and retention by engaging both the mind and voice. For children, it enhances language development, vocabulary, and listening skills, while also fostering a deeper connection with the text.
It is important to set good reading routines at a specific time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or during quiet time. Consistency helps children develop a reading habit. Encourage discussions by asking questions about the story after reading it and select appropriate books that match your child’s interests and age.
By fostering a positive reading environment, parents can help instill a lifelong love of reading in their children.