May is National Share-a-Story month and this year’s theme is “Belonging.”
Given the disruption of learning due to the pandemic and academic attainment gap, both tutors and supply teachers will be making a real difference to catch-up learning and support within the classroom. Children more than ever need to be encouraged to read more and with high incidences of children reporting anxiety across all education sectors, it is a great opportunity, via National share-a-story month and its ‘belonging’ theme, to support pupils.
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups which was founded in the 1960s, was created to help parents learn more about children’s books and how to encourage their own children to read more. It celebrates storytelling and with a variety of different events that take place across the UK. To find out more about National share-a-story month, resources, booklists, and competitions based on the theme click here
- Book lists are arranged in the following categories, so it is easy to find what you are looking for:
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Community, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Friends & Family, Younger Readers – Picture Books
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Primary-KS1/LKS2 Banded & Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Primary – KS2 Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Secondary – KS3 Chapter
- Belonging – Yourself & Your Emotions, Friends & Family and Community, Secondary – KS3/4 Chapter
Click here to view booklists
Why not use May to raise awareness with parents and share the following tips for them to help the child read more at home as well as encouraging them to read with their child as well; it’s never too late.
- Read with your child, whatever their age.
- Read anytime with them, not just before they go to sleep.
- Check they understand what it is happening in the story.
- Find a book they like.
- Find books appropriate to their age and ability.
- Encourage them to stop and ask what words mean if they don’t know.
- If they enjoy reading the same books, repeatedly, go with it!
- Lead my example
- Don’t say things like, it will expand your vocabulary, it’s not appealing to a child.
- Don’t force them to continue with a book if they don’t like it. Switch it.
Click here to read our ‘Why is literacy so important’ article.
