Reading for Success
Reading is the basis for success in all subjects. For a child to be able to succeed in most areas of life they need to be able to read and comprehend what they have read.
That does not mean just being able to read a novel. Reading comes in all shapes and forms, from reading the signposts around you, to reading emails and instructions.
Some children are born readers and will devour any piece of written text, whilst others will avoid books at all costs.
To create a reader in the latter child is about finding what reading makes them tick. What interests them? What makes them want to look and read further?
In an ideal world, everyone would have a type of novel or a particular author that they like. They would also like to read factual books about the world around them.
However, as the world evolves and technology plays a greater part in our lives research shows that people’s ability to maintain attention when reading is getting shorter. Long articles in newspapers have been cut and cut, until they become infographics with easy to read statistics. Instant gratification, rather than a labour of love.
As educators we need to ensure that children have access to all types of reading, in order to find out which genre they prefer. This will also give them access to the different types of reading and writing that are required for success at school. Along the way we can identify and nurture the area of reading they prefer, plus accept that this might not be the traditional style that we grew up with, but part of the more modern, shorter forms of language usage.
Whatever your child likes to read respect their style choices.
If your child finds reading a challenge:-
• Choose books whereby the children get to know the characters - Oxford Reading Tree Biff and Chip stories
• Try short stories
• Try comic books
• Ensure that the books are not too difficult for your child
• Does the topic interest your child?
• Information books
• Read information leaflets
• Sports books
• Books based on films
Always monitor the content of the books your child reads to ensure that the topics are suitable.
By Rose Griffiths - Senior Teacher, English Enrichment, Reading Coordinator
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rose has taught in primary schools in London and Manchester, UK, and has gained graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. She first worked for Lorna Whiston Schools from 2007 to 2014, and during this time, took the role of Reading Coordinator. She was also involved in teachers’ training as well as adult and parent reading workshops before relocating to Kuala Lumpur. Rose recently returned to Lorna Whiston Schools in 2017.