We love books at Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School and we love reading!

This page will show you some of the activities we do in school to promote reading, why reading is important, how to support your child reading and lots of tips and techniques.

As a school we try really hard to get as many books into homes as possible.

Here are some of the ways we do this…

• Birthday Book Box
• We ask Santa to bring every child a brand new book for Christmas, every year, for Cubs, Bears, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
• We use books as prizes throughout the year.
• We have regular low-cost book sales and book giveaways throughout the year.
• We ensure that on world book day every child receives a book, not just a book token.
• We have book swap events where children can swap an unwanted book for a new one of their choice.
• We invite parents into school for a Book Café with the opportunity to buy brand new cut-price books and read with their child.
• We reward children who attend story club with books to keep.
• We send two reading books home every week – one is linked to the child’s phonic ability and one is a book which the child chooses themselves to encourage reading for pleasure.

We have a BIRTHDAY BOOK BOX!

Every Friday we have an assembly when children who have celebrated their birthday during the week come to the front - we sing to them - they choose a book and a bookmark as a birthday gift from school.

Story club 

Story telling in the library with Miss Latchford

Buddy readers.

Every year we train year 2 children to buddy with younger children for some fun shared reading sessions. Sometimes the books are chosen by the buddies, sometimes by the younger children but it’s fun for everyone! The buddies make great role models and their self esteem gets a boost too!

Why is it important to read?

Research shows that learning to read and loving reading is directly linked to children's success at school and beyond. Reading books aloud to children stimulates both their understanding and imagination and expands their understanding of the world.

It helps them to develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you to read aloud together.

How can I help my child learn to read?

There is lots of information on the Little Wandle website. Please click on the link for more support.

Where to get more support from.

Often in school we hear that children don't want to read at home our advice is not to force this, we want reading to be fun and enjoyable, not a chore. Perhaps start by reading them a story they enjoy listening to then and ask them to help you with words or letters you are unsure of. Make it a time that they can get snuggly with you in a nice quiet environment, in no time they will be asking you to read!

Your child's class teacher will always be available to offer help and support with reading at home. You can speak to them at anytime and they will be able to support you with ideas and solutions to encourage your child to read at home.

How To Read With Your Child

Hampton school have produced some lovely videos about reading with your child. This video below offers 5 tips that will make reading with your child more effective:

Reading to Children - Tips & Techniques - "Itchy Bear" Neil Griffiths - ELC

Neil Griffiths, passionate storyteller and former headteacher, shares some of his tips and techniques for keeping children engaged and entertained with reading. Many parents feel ill-equipped to tell a good bedtime story and hard pressed to find the time to do so; with Itchy Bear- a story about a bear that just can't stop itching, your little ones won't be able to get enough of your storytelling prowess.