Collaborative: Save the Children/Responses

I sent an email to my two cousins who both have young children to gather feedback of our current ideas as well as asking them, why do you think it is important to read to your children? How do you make reading time interesting for you and your child? 

The responses I got back from my cousins where really good and helpful.

Emma:

Dan loves reading to the girls, the key for him was reading them books he enjoyed reading as a child (Danny Champion of the World etc) For men any books with noises is good, I've found many seem to be self conscious about reading 'children's story books'. Maybe 'Dad Stories' could be a compilation of stories that men would be more comfortable reading...not all fluffy bunnies and rhyming!!! Could have 'For dad's ONLY' warning on the front?!

We found at school, dad's preferred non-fiction books where they could make something I.e. Scarecrow / junk model car, or on things like toys they used to play with. Also, joke books, pop-up / interactive books, illustration books, where's wally, Minecraft etc. Many boys struggle with reading compared to girls, maybe positive male role model would build boys self confidence with reading.

Reading is important interaction, builds knowledge of sentence structure, intonation of speech, rhyming patterns, story lines, imagination, descriptions etc etc!!!

Reading time interesting by choosing books either I enjoyed or ones they would like to read but which would be 'hard work' for them to read. At school all classes now have to have a class book the teacher reads, just because they can read doesn't mean we have to stop reading to them.

Hope that makes sense! Good luck. If you want anymore feedback my friend is literacy consultant & brill at reading / book linked ideas for reading in & out of school.

Emma xx

Abi:

I say to Charlie, "are you washing up or reading with the kids?" and he reads with the kids! I think the earlier you enjoy books with you child the better, regardless if mum or dad takes the lead. If dad reads then mum is tidying up, if mum reads then dad is tidying up, the main thing is that one of you is reading with your child. To be honest I don't like the whole generalisation of 'dads like this type of book' , should be about what the child likes. Take them to a library and let them explore. Libraries are great, they have storytellers, fun events and they are free. It is quite an exciting concept for a child that they can choose 10 books and take them home! Louis has had periods of not wanting to read and I just order some Asterix, Tin Tin or Simpsons to keep him ticking along. I'm a great believer of making reading enjoyable and not a chore, and you shouldn't push your child to read high level books.

Books shouldn't just be for bedtime, and they shouldn't be a timed chore. Should just be part of your day. If Also children need to see parents reading and enjoying books. Probably lots of children just see their parents fiddling on their phones. I think that would be a good idea to do something like 'put down your phone and pick up a book' sort of thing, especially if you want to aim at dads. Good luck and keep us posted xx