Top tips to encourage reading

1.     Audiobooks: LIBBY

Did you know Kent Libraries offer thousands of free ebooks, audiobooks, online newspapers, and magazines for all ages?  If your child is a reluctant reader, encourage them to listen to audiobooks. Audiobooks increase word exposure and can help improve your child’s vocabulary. 

Find out more: Kent County Council - OverDrive

2.     Den building

Create a fun, comfortable place for you and your child to enjoy some books together. Challenge your child to create a cubbyhole, where they can relax and enjoy their favourite book, magazine, or audiobook. Cardboard boxes, sheets, pillows, and cushions are great items to help create their cosy spaces.

See https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/building-reading-dens/ for lots of fun ideas. Remember all reading matters!

3.     Visit the Library

Many libraries have a range of dyslexia-friendly books. For example, Barrington Stoke books are printed on off-white paper, use a dyslexia-friendly font, and are accessible through their wider line spacing and amount of text on a page.

Find out more: https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/dyslexic-reluctant-readers/

4.     Cooking

Bring reading to life by cooking a recipe you have read together. Knowing there is a delicious treat and a yummy incentive at the end may be motivation enough! Reading a recipe reinforces that you need to pay attention to details (a crucial skill for older readers). Cooking also reinforces maths skills, such as one and a quarter, 30mins, etc.

Click here for half-term recipe ideas: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-half-term-recipes-kids/amp

5.     Watch a film together

Did you know that popular books have inspired great films? For children who find certain types of texts challenging to read, films can support comprehension skills by enabling them to listen to language exchanges and see visual cues that support understanding.

Free animated stories are available to watch here thanks to BBC Teach:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/english-ks1--ks2-animated-series-full-versions/z4tdwty