To emphasise the importance of parents and carers reading to young children, we have started Reading Time on a Friday.

Every Friday, during term time, at 11.40am, parents and carers are welcome to come in to read with their child or a group of children, if they wish.

We have a selection of books available to choose from or you can bring a favourite from home or the library.

If your home language is not English and you would prefer to read in another language, then we would love for you to do this. We have some dual language books, but you may wish to bring a favourite story from home.

So, why is reading to your child so important?

1. Strengthens relationships – reading together creates a special, shared experience that builds trust and nurtures a close, healthy bond between you and your child.
2. Expands vocabulary – children learn new words and understand their appropriate usage by hearing them in context.
3. Improves language skills – reading helps children to understand how language works and allows them to hear more words.
4. Boosts comprehension – stories help children make sense of the world, including how characters and people respond to different situations.
5. Sparks imagination and critical thinking – stories stimulate imagination and encourage children to think about cause and effect, consequences and different outcomes.
6. Enhances concentration – the act of listening to a story improves a child’s ability to focus and can lead to longer attention spans.
7. Fosters social-emotional skills – reading about different characters and their emotions helps children develop empathy, understand their own feelings and learn how to interact with others.
8. Prepares for academic success – a strong foundation in language and comprehension from reading is linked to better performance in school across many subjects.