At Redscope, we believe that children’s learning is strongly influenced by the home. Your interest and involvement in your child’s learning and education is more important than anything else in helping your child fulfil their potential.
Purple Mash is a whole curricular, online resource. It has many games and activities to support and challenge, whilst encouraging children to love learning.
In each Year group there is an expectation to listen to your child regularly. As parents you are your child’s most influential role model with an important part to play in helping your child to learn to read. Here are some suggestions on how you can help to make this a positive experience:
1. Choose a quiet time
Set aside a quiet time with no distractions. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually long enough.
2. Make reading enjoyable
Make reading an enjoyable experience. Sit with your child. Try not to pressurise if he or she is reluctant. If your child loses interest then do something else.
3. Maintain the flow
If your child mispronounces a word do not interrupt immediately. Instead allow opportunity for self-correction. It is better to tell a child some unknown words to maintain the flow rather than insisting on trying to build them all up from the sounds of the letters. If your child does try to ‘sound out’ words, encourage the use of letter sounds rather than ‘alphabet names’.
4. Be positive
If your child says something nearly right to start with that is fine. Don’t say ‘No. That’s wrong,’ but ‘Let’s read it together’ and point to the words as you say them. Boost your child’s confidence with constant praise for even the smallest achievement.
5. Regular practice
Try to read with your child on most school days. ‘Little and often’ is best.
6. Communicate
In your child’s planner, we provide space for you to fill in when you have heard them read. Try to communicate regularly with positive comments and any concerns. Your child will then know that you are interested in their progress and that you value reading. The minimum requirement is 3 times per week, but lots of parents do more than this. Your child will be rewarded for reading at home.
3 times a week = one sticker
6 times a week = two stickers
Every time your child receives a sticker they can add their name to the Class reading chart. Once this is filled, children who have their name on for the required number of times will take part in a reading reward prize. The Class will decide on the prize and regular choices are movie afternoon with snacks, disco and snacks, craft afternoon and game afternoon.
In addition, every Friday, during assembly a child’s name is drawn and if that child has read for the minimum of 3 times that week then they will receive a £5 Meadowhall gift voucher.
7. Talk about the books
There is more to being a good reader than just being able to read the words accurately. Just as important is being able to understand what has been read. Always talk to your child about the book; about the pictures, the characters, how they think the story will end, and their favourite part. You will then be able to see how well they have understood and you will help them to develop good comprehension skills.
8. Variety is important
Remember children need to experience a variety of reading materials eg. picture books, hard backs, comics, magazines, poems, and information books.
