The Magic of Books

Experience shows that children benefit hugely by exposure to books from an early age. At playgroup we believe that right from the start, lots of opportunities should be provided for children to engage with books that fire their imagination and interest. They should be encouraged to choose and peruse books freely as well as sharing them when read by an adult.

For young children learning to read is all about hearing rhythm and rhyme, looking at words, growing their vocabulary and most of all to develop a love of reading. As well as being an enjoyable experience for both the staff and your child sharing a book together goes a long way to helping children on the path to reading in school.

Getting ready to read

A child beginning to enjoy books and read needs to know certain things that we take for granted. For instance that a book starts at the front and is read page by page to the back; that the words are read from left to right across the page and from top to bottom so when you read with your child make sure they can follow the words. Spend time on the pictures: these play a crucial part in early reading; indeed many picture books only work if both the words and the pictures are “read".

Reading Aloud

Whenever possible read to your child at least once a day. Those children who are used to sharing the pleasures of books with adults have a head start with reading; they know the enjoyment it can offer. Let your children see you reading too. And don't forget you can read out language which is all around us, for example labels on food and drinks, menus, television adverts, road names etc.

This is where it all starts

The children who learn to read quickly and easily are usually the ones who speak fluently, ask lots of questions and are generally at ease with oral language. So talk with your child as much as possible' at home, on the bus, in the car, in the park or wherever. Listen carefully to what he or she says and answer questions as fully as you can.

Our Lending Library

Playgroup operates a library system where all children may borrow a book to take home. Each book will be sent home in a plastic wallet marked with the child’s name and is to be returned to playgroup when it is finished with. The children may keep the book as long as they like or change it every day if they wish.

The use of the lending library helps the children to learn to make decisions and help them become responsible for other peoples possessions. Please encourage your child to take care of the books they bring home. We ask that all books borrowed are returned in the same condition; in the event of any damage occurring at home or lost books it will be the responsibility of the parent to replace it. We will collect all books in along with the child's plastic wallet before the end of each term.