In addition to reading during the school day, the value of reading at home cannot be underestimated and is noted as vital in building our pupils’ vocabulary, love of reading and future aspirations.

Reading at home can take shape in a variety of ways:

•    Bedtime stories
•    Audiobooks
•    Turning on the subtitles
•    Reading to a pet
•    Going to the local library – Burnham, Maidenhead
•    Reading outside
•    Reading to a relative or a friend

Your child will experience the most success in reading when they read at school and at home. At St Nicolas' we expect children to read at home every day  and record this in their planner. Children's long-term success can be linked back to the amount of vocabulary a toddler knows at the age of 2. Children's vocabulary is acquired through quality discussion and interaction with adults and sharing of books.

                                                          
Books sent home

Pupils will bring reading books home weekly for them to read and return. Pupils will bring two books home - one that is chosen from the reading scheme to help them developmentally with reading (EYFS - year 4) and one they have chosen to read for pleasure. Books will come home weekly and are expected to be in school daily. Planners will be checked at least once a week. We encourage children to read 'beyond' the books sent home so please record any books your child has read.

RWI (Read Write Inc)

Whilst on the Read, Write Inc (RWI) phonics scheme, your child will be sent home 1-2 RWI books. This book is matched to your child's phonetic level and they will have this book for 4-8 days. Evidence from research and our experience with RWI  storybooks show that children who read their books several times make better progress in reading. It is expected that they re-read the book at least 3 times to build up fluency, confidence and expression. Children should be able to read this book mostly independently. Please ask remind them to ‘Fred talk’ a word if they get stuck.

Why read at home?

Reading is a skill we continue to develop throughout our lives, but starting this process as early as possible has significant benefits for our continued success as readers. This is why, as parents and carers, you play a vital role in supporting your child in becoming a fluent reader who is confidently able to apply their reading skills across all areas of their lives.

The teaching of reading and reading comprehension within the classroom is only part of a child's learning, and the value that is given to reading at home is equally important.

Research suggests that children who read regularly outside of school achieve significantly better academic achievements in school and so your support at home is essential in ensuring that your child makes the progress they  are capable of.                        

You can help your child to achieve their full potential by listening to them read daily, reading regular bedtime stories and by encouraging them to enjoy reading and sharing books together. Reading widely through all of these approaches will help develop your child’s vocabulary, which in turn will make them more confident when reading more challenging books. Giving your child a choice over what they read is an important factor in boosting their enthusiasm for reading and children are more likely to be interested in books they have selected for themselves. Your local library is an incredibly useful resource in providing regular reading material for your child and best of all – it’s free!

Books sent home