Reception - Aoife OConnor Home

This week, children will start bringing home reading books- what an exciting time!

Please read this post carefully as it contains all the information you need about our reading homework.

Please begin by reading this guide from the Book Trust about reading with your child (click on the picture)



Your child will recieve reading books once a week. They will be changed on the same day each week and this day will be written on their reading record. They should bring their books to school and back each day- we suggest you keep them in the book bag whenever you are not reading them. Please read the book with your child and complete their reading record so that we know they are ready to change to a new book. This is an exciting step in your child's reading journey and we want it to be a positive experience for them. We are always here to help with any questions you might have and have answered some common questions below.

How often should I read with my child?
Most reserach shows that daily reading with young children has positive outcomes for their later academic achievement. Quite simply, it is the most effective homework you can do to support your child's learning. Remember though, that reading is not always sitting down with a school reading book. It is important to continue to read well loved and exciting new books. Reading letters from a relative or labels at the supermarket are also important reading lessons.

What should I do when I read with my child?
Don't be too worried about this, the most important thing is that your child has a positive and fun experience of reading with you. Try to find a quiet space where you can read together undisturbed (I know this is easier said than done). Have a chat about the front cover and the illustration. What do you think might happen? Take a look inside the cover of the reading book which often has advice for reading that particular book. It is absolutely fine to read the book to your little one, especially in the beginning, modelling reading behaviours and thinking aloud as you do so. Be sure to congratulate them and let them know how proud you are of them.

My child has already read their book, what should I do?
Congratulations! Well done! Now why not read it again? Rereading is important for children to practise fluency and comprehension. The 'reading muscles' that they are exercising on the first reading are very different to the second or third. Or read something else if the book hasn't grabbed their interest.

My child can't read this book, what should I do?
The expectation is not that your child reads every word of every book we send them home. It is also important to develop their understanding of story and their skills of prediction and comprehension. Look through the pictures of the book and dicuss what is happening. That might be enough for the first night. Model reading by tracing your finger left to right and saying the words as you go. It is completely fine to read the book to your child. After a couple of readings they might trace their finger left to right and retell the story from memory- fantastic! These are all important steps on the way to reading sentences.
Please do not get into a battle of wills where you frustratedly jab your finger at a word that your child cannot or does not want to read! Keep the experience light and fun and as soon as it stops being fun, call it a day. Let us know if this is happening regularly and we can help.

Why is my child bringing home books that are too easy/hard for them?
This is a commonly asked question and sometimes a source of worry for parents but there are lots of reasons why it might seem this way. Most often, there is a particular skill that we think this book or this level of book will help your child to develop. Come and have a word with us, we'll be able to explain. Remember, it isn't a race!

What can I do if I have a problem with home reading?
Just come and talk to us! Early reading is our favourite thing and you certainly will not be the forst person to have whatever difficulty you are having. We might know just the trick or we might have to work it out together but we will definitely be able to help.