I have been put in charge of designing the book. The best thing to do first is try to gather a range of content so that I know what I have to work with, I can then whittle it down to the key information needed in the book. Below are some possible book chapters that could be included as well as information that will be included.
- Facts and benefits
- The Secret to Storytelling
- - How to be a good reader
- - How to make reader interesting
- Support your child's reading journey
- Encouraging your child to independently read
- Libraries
- Bedtime reading
- Reading with Babies and Toddlers
- A few things to remember (…)
- Book Suggestions
- Tips from parents
Intro
Reading is the key to a child's future: it unlocks their potential and opens up a world filled with possibilities and, for our poorest children, reading well is their best route out of poverty. In the UK today too many of our children, including 40% of our poorest children, leave primary school without being able to read well. Previously we've tried to inspire dads to read more through our Get Dads Reading campaign as well as our ongoing effort to improve the life chances of disadvantaged children through the Children's Reading Fund, but now we've teamed up with Save the Children to launch 'Read On. Get On.', the campaign's mission is to ensure, that by 2025, every child is a confident reader by age 11. You can join and help in a number of ways - firstly, you can find out more about the campaign - sign the petition to get MPs involved, read Viv Bird's blog and see who's involved and what will be happening throughout the week. Then, you can have some fun - view our reading pack, view booklists, get tips and take quizzes.Not Just BedtimeBy bedtime energy levels are low and tiredness is creeping in...and that's just you! The beauty of stories is that they can be told anywhere and at anytime: in the car, on the way to school, or during a meal.
"All you need to do is find a quiet moment at some point in the day," says Sophie. "It can just be a little short and sweet snippet, just five minutes together. Children's poems are good if time is short.
The secret to storytelling
To have fun! When we share a book with our children we're doing something very special, and for those few minutes the outside world stops while we read about elephants or pirates or aliens.
Turn off the television or anything that will distract you. Choose a book that you think you can talk about for five minutes and that you will both enjoy. Make a cosy spot - a couple of cushions on the floor will do. Be brave and put on silly voices or animal noises and just enjoy doing something together.
Every child loves a bedtime story: the chance to cosy up to mum or dad and be lulled to sleep with a good book. But, as many parents can tell you, it's difficult to inject life into a story if you're reading it for the 50th time, or you've had no sleep the night before.
Don't be nervous of reading aloud
Talking About Stories
It's often a good idea to talk about a story you're reading, but you needn't feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time to think about stories they've read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if your child mentions something from a story you've read together.
Stories and talking to your child is important
Babies love the sound of our voices and the rhythm of language. They might not understand the words themselves, but they like how our voices naturally go up and down as we speak. They babble back to us and eventually learn to say words - all because we talk to them.
Stories not only help children learn about the world and themselves, but also to learn about language and how stories and books work. For instance, they learn what a 'page' is because we say 'Shall we turn the page?' or 'I wonder what's on the next page?'
When we talk to children about the pictures in books, we're giving them the time and opportunity to ask questions about what they see and to make connections with the world. Sharing books with young children is not about 'teaching them to read' - it's about helping them to discover that books are exciting and fun. It feeds their imagination (and interests) so that when the time comes to learn to read they are eager to read stories for themselves.
Keeping your child interested in books
The secret to engaging your child with books is to choose those that support their interests. As well as being fun and interactive and allow them to develop at their own pace. If your child likes tractors or crocodiles, then chose books with tractors or crocodiles in them. You don't have to talk about everything on every page - choose the pages that they will be interested in.
Don't worry about reading the words - tell the story from the pictures and talk together about what you see. If a picture reminds them of something they have seen or experienced, then let them talk about it. If it takes you all day to read a book because you do it a couple of pages at a time in between all the other things your child wants to do - that's fine, because there's no rush.
Top tips for choosing appropriate books and stories
For babies and very young children choose a book with good pictures that you can talk about for a few minutes.
For older children you will have to consider what sort of books your child likes - do they like books with animals in, or trains or a particular book/television character?
Always encourage your child to choose books for themselves - take them to your local library where there are hundreds of children's books.
Remember every time you share a book with a child you are doing something really valuable - helping them to discover the pleasure of reading.
Turn off the television or anything that will distract you. Choose a book that you think you can talk about for five minutes and that you will both enjoy. Make a cosy spot - a couple of cushions on the floor will do. Be brave and put on silly voices or animal noises and just enjoy doing something together.
Every child loves a bedtime story: the chance to cosy up to mum or dad and be lulled to sleep with a good book. But, as many parents can tell you, it's difficult to inject life into a story if you're reading it for the 50th time, or you've had no sleep the night before.
Don't be nervous of reading aloud
Most of the book-sharing happens in our own homes - it's just us and our child/children. There is no one to judge or tell us we've said the wrong word or missed a page - although if it's a book you've read before your child might tell you!
Children love spending time with the grown-ups in their lives. They are not critical or judgemental; they just appreciate sharing that time and experience with you.
"Nobody's listening to you other than your child," explains Sophie. "Parents often forget that nobody else is watching other than their kids, and you're fantastic to them. It's the one time when you can let go a bit and be silly."
"Don't worry about making a fool of yourself," says Suzie. "The kids will love it anyway!"
Be interestedIf you're reading a story which you find boring or dull, then it'll show. Instead, choose a book that you love. If you're not enjoying telling a story it will show in your face and your expression. At the same time choose a book that interests your child as well. If they find it dull, just like you - it will show! Picking a book which you are both interested will help you form a strong bond with your child as it shows them that you have similar interests.
Children love spending time with the grown-ups in their lives. They are not critical or judgemental; they just appreciate sharing that time and experience with you.
"Nobody's listening to you other than your child," explains Sophie. "Parents often forget that nobody else is watching other than their kids, and you're fantastic to them. It's the one time when you can let go a bit and be silly."
"Don't worry about making a fool of yourself," says Suzie. "The kids will love it anyway!"
Be interestedIf you're reading a story which you find boring or dull, then it'll show. Instead, choose a book that you love. If you're not enjoying telling a story it will show in your face and your expression. At the same time choose a book that interests your child as well. If they find it dull, just like you - it will show! Picking a book which you are both interested will help you form a strong bond with your child as it shows them that you have similar interests.
Talking About Stories
It's often a good idea to talk about a story you're reading, but you needn't feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time to think about stories they've read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if your child mentions something from a story you've read together.
Use good pacing.
When you are confident, you will not be in a hurry. You want to speak slow enough so that the story is easily absorbed but do not speak so slowly that your child's mind checks out of the room.
When you are confident, you will not be in a hurry. You want to speak slow enough so that the story is easily absorbed but do not speak so slowly that your child's mind checks out of the room.
Reading the same book again and again
About two thirds of children have favourite books and these are the stories that we are asked to read time and time again. As adults we tend to read the same newspaper every day, listen to the same radio station or watch the same television programme each week - we choose to go back to something that we enjoy.
If your child has a favourite book - it's because they enjoy it and they want it 'again, again'. It could be that the cat in the book looks like your cat, or the cat that comes into your garden. It could be that the funny voice you use makes them laugh. It could be the kiss or tickle that they get on page 4. These favourite stories are helping them to learn that books are fun, that literacy is fun and that reading is something they want to do.
On the other hand, if your child doesn't have a favourite story and likes lots of different books all the time don't panic - continue to share lots of different types of books with them because this is what they enjoy!
If your child has a favourite book - it's because they enjoy it and they want it 'again, again'. It could be that the cat in the book looks like your cat, or the cat that comes into your garden. It could be that the funny voice you use makes them laugh. It could be the kiss or tickle that they get on page 4. These favourite stories are helping them to learn that books are fun, that literacy is fun and that reading is something they want to do.
On the other hand, if your child doesn't have a favourite story and likes lots of different books all the time don't panic - continue to share lots of different types of books with them because this is what they enjoy!
Stories and talking to your child is important
Babies love the sound of our voices and the rhythm of language. They might not understand the words themselves, but they like how our voices naturally go up and down as we speak. They babble back to us and eventually learn to say words - all because we talk to them.
Stories not only help children learn about the world and themselves, but also to learn about language and how stories and books work. For instance, they learn what a 'page' is because we say 'Shall we turn the page?' or 'I wonder what's on the next page?'
When we talk to children about the pictures in books, we're giving them the time and opportunity to ask questions about what they see and to make connections with the world. Sharing books with young children is not about 'teaching them to read' - it's about helping them to discover that books are exciting and fun. It feeds their imagination (and interests) so that when the time comes to learn to read they are eager to read stories for themselves.
Keeping your child interested in books
The secret to engaging your child with books is to choose those that support their interests. As well as being fun and interactive and allow them to develop at their own pace. If your child likes tractors or crocodiles, then chose books with tractors or crocodiles in them. You don't have to talk about everything on every page - choose the pages that they will be interested in.
Don't worry about reading the words - tell the story from the pictures and talk together about what you see. If a picture reminds them of something they have seen or experienced, then let them talk about it. If it takes you all day to read a book because you do it a couple of pages at a time in between all the other things your child wants to do - that's fine, because there's no rush.
If your child really isn't enjoying the book, leave it - you don't have to finish it, just find one that they do enjoy.
Top tips for choosing appropriate books and stories
For babies and very young children choose a book with good pictures that you can talk about for a few minutes.
Board books and flap books are also brilliant for very young children who often want to eat their books as well as look at them. Children love the anticipation of what's hidden beneath the flap. Talk about what you see on the page and don't worry about reading the words at this stage.
For older children you will have to consider what sort of books your child likes - do they like books with animals in, or trains or a particular book/television character?
Always encourage your child to choose books for themselves - take them to your local library where there are hundreds of children's books.
Remember every time you share a book with a child you are doing something really valuable - helping them to discover the pleasure of reading.
Books at bedtime:
There’s something really special about sharing stories at bedtime. The promise of one more story, or the end of last night’s, makes children look forward to bedtime. Research shows a book at bedtime could help babies learn more quickly, after it was discovered children soak up the most information before they go to sleep. Bedtime stories create a feeling of security and love. Bedtime books make happy memories that we remember when we’re older. It’s great if the whole family joins in – this shows how much stories and reading matter.
A few things to remember:
It’s good if your child sees you reading – anything from books, letters and e-mails to recipes, newspapers and magazines. Variety is great. Encourage your child to read the things that interest them. This could include comics, magazines, joke books, poetry and books about pets or sport. Find the time to look at any book that comes home from school and share your child’s favourite books with them
A few things to remember:
It’s good if your child sees you reading – anything from books, letters and e-mails to recipes, newspapers and magazines. Variety is great. Encourage your child to read the things that interest them. This could include comics, magazines, joke books, poetry and books about pets or sport. Find the time to look at any book that comes home from school and share your child’s favourite books with them
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