Aiming High Learning for Life

How to help your child at home

We ask that children read at least 5 times per week at home, and that information about this is recorded in their reading log. Children return their books to school on a regular basis so they can change them for a book of their choice. Encourage children to use their phonic knowledge to decode unfamiliar words, identify repeated language and tell them what new, unknown words mean.

Children love to be read to. If you can find time before-hand, read the book aloud to yourself, so you can think about how you will read it to your child. On the first reading:

  • Make reading feel like a treat. Make it a special, quiet time and cuddle up so that you can both see the book
  • Show curiosity about what you’re going to read. ‘This book looks interesting. It's about an angry child. I wonder….’
  • Read through the whole story the first time without stopping too much. Let the story weave its own magic. Read with enjoyment. If you’re not enjoying it, your child won’t
  • Read favourite stories over and over again

On later readings:

  • Let your child pause, think about and comment on pictures
  • If you think your child didn’t understand something, try to explain
  • Chat about the story and the pictures ‘I wonder why she did that.’
  • Link stories with what your child knows about ‘Ah. Do you remember when…?’
  • Link stories to your own family experiences ‘This reminds me of when…’
  • Encourage your child to join in with the bits they know

Phonics:

Monster Phonics For Parents | Monster Phonics

Fluency:

How to help kids become more fluent readers (understood.org)

11 Ways to Help Your Child to Read With Fluency (verywellfamily.com)

Fluency Matters | Reading Rockets

Comprehension:

Reading comprehension explained for parents | TheSchoolRun

Please also see the attached booklet at the bottom of this page.

Additionally, The 'Words for Life' website has some useful tips about how you can share stories with your child.  Click here to read these.