At Ranskill Primary, we believe that reading is a fundamental skill that opens the door to a world of opportunities. Our approach ensures that every child develops confidence, fluency, and comprehension, which will foster a lifelong love for reading. Below is a guide for parents to support your child's reading development at home, with helpful tips and strategies to make reading a more enjoyable and effective experience.

Top Tips

1. Keep Reading Sessions Short

You don’t need to read an entire book or chapter in one go. Short, focused sessions are often more beneficial.

2. Take Turns Reading

Encourage your child to take turns reading with you. Some books include pages for adults to read, which can help you both engage in the story.

3. Sit Close Together

Sitting together allows your child to follow along with their finger, or they can hold the book themselves. This promotes better engagement and focus.

4. Give Time for Decoding

Allow your child to sound out words at their own pace. It’s normal for them to try a word more than once—this practice helps improve their skills.

5. Offer Praise

Celebrate progress, no matter how small. Praise boosts confidence and encourages children to continue reading.

6. Make Predictions Using the Title and Cover

Before reading, ask your child to predict what the book might be about by examining the title and cover. Use pictures to guide their predictions and increase excitement.

7. Ask Questions to Check Understanding

After reading, ask your child questions to ensure they understood the story. Some questions include:

• What happened in the story?

• Why do you think the character did that?

• How did the character feel when…?

• What does this word mean?

8. Discuss the Book Afterwards

Encourage your child to share their thoughts on the book. Ask:

• What was your favourite part?

• Did you learn anything new?

• Would you change anything in the story?

9. Be a Positive Reading Role Model

Let your child see you read regularly—whether it’s books, newspapers, or magazines. When children see that reading is a valuable skill, they are more likely to develop a love for it. A bedtime story or even listening to audiobooks during car journeys are great ways to read together.

10. Support Your Child Even When They’re Reluctant

If your child is not eager to read, continue to read to them as much as possible. Inform the teacher if your child is consistently reluctant, so we can provide additional support.

Thank you for being an active part of your child's reading journey!

Click the link below to see some useful question stems which you can use when reading with your child.