Reading is life-changing: Children who read in their spare time are more likely to do well in school, have strong friendships, have better mental health, better paying jobs and happier lives!

So how do we encourage our children to develop a love of reading? By reading to them! Teaching reading at Darley Dale Primary goes beyond the home school phonics book your child brings home. It is about reading regularly to children to develop their vocabulary and understanding of story language and structure.

In school, story time is a big part of our day. We read quality text to our children at least twice a day (before lunch and home time). These books are available for our children to revisit in the book corner, so they can retell shared stories with their friends. Children will take home a book each week from the library for you to share at home.

Children are taught how to read using our phonics scheme, 'Little Wandle'. Phonics teaches children that letters make sounds, which can be blended (read) to make words. Once your child is secure in the first sounds taught in school,  they will bring a phonics reading book home. These books are for your child to read to you. Children will read their phonics book with an adult in school three times before it comes home. This allows them to be taught how to read their book with a trained adult (taking the pressure off parents). They can then bring their book home to 'show off' what they have learnt in school. It is important that you listen to your child read their phonics book regularly (at least 3 times a week). The more regularly children practise, the more fluent their reading will become! 

Your child will also receive a reading record. This is for both teachers and parents to record when your child has practised their reading. It is really important that parent and carers fill this in, so we can see how children are getting on at home! 

For more information on phonics and how it is taught in school, please follow the phonics hyperlink on the Reception Class Page.