Reading – The Foundation of Children’s Learning

I have touched upon this in previous articles, both here and in my work as a children’s author and in Primary Literacy Support, but I feel its relevance is far too important not to have an article dedicated to the topic.

When our children begin primary school, they are first taught their sounds before learning to blend these sounds into small CVC words, such as mat, let, dog. This is the initial brickwork in the foundations of our children’s learning.

From there, children progress to four letter words and longer. They learn how to use full stops, capital letters, commas, etc., all of which teach them when to pause in reading, when to enunciate and how to make sense of a long stream of words.

As their reading progresses, so does the wording in the reading books that schools provide. Homework is sent home. Children will either love it or hate it, but either way, it must be done.

As children progress through primary school, their learning increases. They will be taught new topics, such as geography, history, the modern world and so much more. These topics will hopefully excite and the resulting culmination of improved literacy and linguistic skills alongside fuelled imaginations and creativity will instil further confidence in a child’s ability and heighten their self-confidence.

Reading will form the basis of this learning.

No matter the subject matter, books will have to be read and resources sourced, all while teacher’s notes and instructions fill whiteboards. This will only increase as children venture further up the educational ladder and onto secondary school and further education.

All the while, as they become more independent in their personal lives, forms will need to be read and completed. Job applications filled out while bank accounts are applied for. Medicinal instructions followed and the relevant paperwork or instructions that will inevitably come with jobs and careers.

The importance of children understanding and reading their initial sounds is the first layer in an ever-growing literacy wall that must be climbed. Reading to our children long before they begin learning their initial sounds will form the basis of the learning that is to come. Helping a child to be as fluent in their literacy skills as is conceivably possible for that child is one of the best gifts, we, as adults, can bestow.

Call to Action

This week’s call to action couldn’t be simpler. Just read, with or to your children. Enjoy the topics and discuss. Chat about funny words, sentences, or topics. Make it fun!

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