LIBRARY

The end of Term 1 is nearly here – Hooray!

I am sure students as well as teachers are looking forward to a break. It is important that all our hard work in helping our children to achieve good results at school, doesn’t come undone while they are away from their school environment.

I would like to pass on some tips for our parents to encourage their children to read during the school holidays so our students are kept up to date with their reading skills.

Read together with your children

When you are reading together with your child, it’s a great idea to give them the option of where they would like to read. This could be in bed or on the couch, the choice is theirs. Provide the opportunity for children to choose whether they would like to read aloud or silently. Check if they would like to read to you if they feel like they need extra support with some words.

Encourage your child to choose their own books either fiction or non – fiction. Don’t leave out comics, graphic novels, magazines or newspapers. Reading is reading and in the end it’s all worthwhile.

Make reading time fun and quick!

Reading should always be enjoyable. It is easy to make reading together with your child the most fun time. Read together with funny voices, try humorous books to engage. You should aim for no more than ten minutes reading together just enough to encourage the kids to come back tomorrow. Set a timer if you need to, it will encourage them to ask for a minute or two more when reading time comes to an end.

Visit the local library (G.V. Library)

Make regular visits to the local library as part of your family’s routine. These trips are simple ways to make reading your child’s passion. Many children are surprised when they discover that they can borrow sometimes up to twenty books from their local library for free. As you all know, the library van visits our school during the term so all children should have a library card at home.

The library also has great school holiday activities visit below for more information.

Have a ‘screen free night’ each day (No TV, No IPad, No Computer)

Make reading time special with a screen free night. Make this time your family’s regular routine where everyone in the family picks up something to read. The time is completely up to you. Having your children see you read and talk about books adds value to this reading time. This will also minimise distraction when you are reading together.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Regards,