EYFS Reading and Writing at home

READING AND WRITING

In Reception, we focus on developing a core understanding in reading and writing. If you would like to do more learning at home to support this, there are some ideas below!

Reading with your child

Reading for pleasure has a dramatic impact on educational outcomes, wellbeing and social mobility, and is also a huge pleasure in itself.

Sharing a book with a child is fun - it's a time for closeness, laughing and talking together. It can also give children a flying start in life and help them become lifelong readers.

SUPPORTING READING AT HOME

Click on the owl to access the 'Parent Guide' page on the Oxford Owl website. Here you will find information and resources to further support your child's reading at home.

Top tips for reading with children of any age

Set aside some time
Read for 10 minutes with your child every day- this can be at any time which is best for you! Find somewhere quiet without any distractions - turn off the TV/radio/computer.
Ask your child to choose a book
Sharing books they have chosen shows you care what they think and that their opinion matters. This means they are more likely to engage with the book.
Sit close together
Encourage your child to hold the book themselves and/or turn the pages.
Point to the pictures
If there are illustrations, relate them to something your child knows. Ask them to describe the characters or situation or what will happen next. Encourage them to tell you the story by looking at the pictures.
Encourage your child to talk about the book
Talking about the characters and their dilemmas helps children understand relationships and is an excellent way for you to get to know each other or discuss difficult issues. Give your child plenty of time to respond. Ask them what will happen next, how a character might be feeling or how the book makes them feel.
And lastly, above all - make it fun!
It doesn't matter how you read with a child, as long as you both enjoy the time together. Don't be afraid to use funny voices - children love this!