May is National Share-a-Story month and this year’s theme is “Belonging.”
Obviously, the disruption of learning due to the pandemic has worsened the academic attainment gap. However, both tutors and supply teachers can make a difference to catch-up learning and support within the classroom. You probably agree that children need to be encouraged to read more. In addition we now know that a lot of children are reporting anxiety across all education sectors. Therefore, National share-a-story’s ‘belonging’ theme, is a great opportunity to also support pupils whilst encouraging them to read more.
Resources
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups which was founded in the 1960s, was created to help parents learn more about children’s books. This includes a guide for parents on how to encourage their own children to read more. It celebrates storytelling and with a variety of different events that take place across the UK. To find out more about National share-a-story month, resources, booklists, and competitions based on the theme click here
- Book lists are arranged in the following categories, so it is easy to find what you are looking for:
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Community, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Friends & Family, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Primary-KS1/LKS2 Banded & Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Primary – KS2 Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Secondary – KS3 Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Secondary – KS3/4 Chapter
Click here to view booklists
Tips you can suggest to parents
Why not use May to raise awareness with parents? You could share the following tips and encourage them to read with their child. Remember, it’s never too late!
- Read with your child, whatever their age.
- Read anytime with them, not just before they go to sleep.
- Check they understand what it is happening in the story.
- Find a book they like.
- Find books appropriate to their age and ability.
- Encourage them to stop and ask what words mean if they don’t know.
- If they enjoy reading the same books, repeatedly, go with it!
- Lead my example
- Don’t say things like, it will expand your vocabulary, it’s not appealing to a child.
- Don’t force them to continue with a book if they don’t like it. Switch it.
Click here to read our ‘Why is literacy so important’ article.
