Summer Reading

Research has shown that there is often a decline in reading habits and skills over the summer holidays. There is evidence that children often experience a loss in reading ability when they are not engaged in regular reading activities. This decline can have a significant effect on their schoolwork.

Here are some practical ways to combat this over the summer:

1. Encourage daily reading – as well as books, ask your child to read signs and menus whilst out and about, follow recipes and solve puzzles and crosswords. Reading online counts too. Even putting subtitles on has been shown to benefit reading!
2. Create a reading-friendly environment – parents, siblings and other family members can be excellent role models so why not organise a regular family reading time to show it is important to you all? Perhaps a reading picnic or trip to the public library? Make sure children have a quiet space to read and access to a range of reading materials.
3. Keep on reading to your child, even when they are a fluent reader. This allows children access to more complex language and stories and it promotes a love of reading.
4. Read a book that has been made into a film or television programme. It is always interesting to compare and see what has been changed.
5. Enter Brentwood Prep’s “Unusual Places” reading competition. See this week’s School Post for further details.
6. Take part in the Essex Libraries Summer Reading Challenge – this year’s theme is the Story Garden. It runs from Saturday 19th July to Saturday 6th September at all Essex libraries and mobile libraries and can also be completed online. Children are being asked to read six books; they will collect stickers for their folder for each book they read. They receive a certificate and medal on completion. Children can read any library book of their choice; fiction, non-fiction, picture books, books they share with parents, e-books or e-audio – they all count. Go to Essex Libraries website for more details.
7. Stuck for something to read over the summer? Why not choose something from our updated Brentwood Recommended Reads list?

Thanks for your ongoing support. Have a wonderful summer and keep on reading!

Miss Styles

Head of English