English includes two key learning skills: Reading and Writing

We are in the process of reviewing our Reading and Writing statements, alongside curriculum progression and overviews.  In the light of research and the latest frameworks, we want to look at what is going well and what might be even better.  If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact the school office to find out more.

There is a great deal that can be done at home to support children in developing these foundational skills.

Try these tips:

• TALKING: Talk about things you see in the book - who's in it, what they did and where they went.
• Help them to learn new words. Talk about what different words mean and tell your child the name for anything they don't know. 
• READING: When learning to read, pictures can be just as important in a storybook as the words. Help your child to work out what the story is about or what a word might say using the pictures.
• Make a book part of your bedtime routine - share a story, snuggle up and get chatting
• Have toys that relate to books like The Gruffalo or Spot the Dog - children can act out stories using these as characters. This will help them to learn to tell stories based on what they've read and heard.
• WRITING: Make sure there is a stack of paper and pencils available, encouraging children to make little books, write/draw on postcards, send notes to family/friends.  Try to make lists (shopping lists are a great example) on paper with your child.  We know how tempting it is to do this on a phone/device, but try to use pen and paper regularly.

Here are some of the reading activities we enjoy at Saint John's

Winston – the Reading Therapy Dog

Reading Workshops

Author and Illustrator Visits