Lots of our members have been in touch to discuss how best to navigate this transitional period.
Some schools seem to be sending books home straight away, whilst others are not, and the confusion surrounding book bands and phonics is as prevalent as ever.
So, we’d like to offer some ideas and reassurance for the school year ahead.
Get Back Into a Good Reading Routine
Now that the initial chaos is out of the way, try to settle into a good reading rhythm. Whether it’s bedtime reading or breakfast reading, just 10 minutes a day can have a huge impact on your child’s progress.
Choose Books That Inspire
Ensure your child has access to books that really inspire and excite them. Enjoy picking titles from your Reading Chest ‘Favourites’ list to engage your child. Even if the books are a bit easy or tricky, they can spark discussion and get reluctant readers back into the habit of opening books.
Be Confident With Phonics
Teaching methods at school, particularly phonics, can feel daunting. Be confident supporting your child at home and familiarise yourself with how phonics is taught in schools. There are lots of helpful resources, like the videos at Oxford Owl, to get you started.
If Books Aren’t Coming Home Yet
You might find that some reception classes won’t send books home until after Christmas. This is often because schools want children to cover a certain amount of phonics sounds before introducing books at home. If you’d like to get started, check out our pink band books to give your child a head start.
The ultimate goal is to nurture a love of reading for life, whether that happens quickly or takes a bit of time!