A Parent's Guide to Reading

Reading at Dawpool School
 

At Dawpool School, the journey to becoming a confident reader begins in the Early Years, where children are immersed in a language-rich curriculum. From the very start, they are surrounded by sounds, vocabulary, stories, and rhymes that help lay the foundations for a lifelong love of reading.

 

As children progress through Foundation 2 and into Key Stage 1, they begin to follow a structured phonics programme. At Dawpool, we use Rocket Phonics – a comprehensive and engaging scheme designed to develop strong reading skills through a systematic approach.

 

Below, you’ll find the Rocket Phonics Parent Guide, which will help you understand more about how the programme supports your child’s reading journey.

“Reading has an enduring power to shape and develop minds, both in the classroom and, ultimately, outside of it.  Of the subjects taught in school, reading is the first among equals – the most singular in importance because all others rely on it.  Excellence in almost any academic subject requires strong reading.”

Doug Lemov, Reading Reconsidered (2016)

 

 
Video 1: An overview of phonics and how parents can support their child's reading development.
 
Video 2: A guide to reading comprehension and how to develop these skills at home.
Videos 3 and 4: These videos provide a helpful guide to producing the correct 'pure' sounds and an explanation on how to blend these sounds together to read words.  
 
--
Useful websites:
 
Words for Life (National Literacy Trust) https://wordsforlife.org.uk/
The Reading Agency: https://readingagency.org.uk/
 
We would encourage parents and carers to register their children with their local library.  Once registered, children can loan books but also access a wide range of reading material online such as ebooks and audiobooks.  Wirral libraries also promote the 'Summer Reading Challenge' annually. 
 
Did you know your child can apply for a Blue Peter Book badge?  Details can be found here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/findoutmore/blue-peter-apply-for-a-book-badge
 
 
Reading Materials
 
Black History Month
School Library