
Reading to nurture children’s inner spark by Abi Clarke
Feb 2
2 min read
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It is a very sad fact that the amount of children in the UK who do not own a book is increasing. It is shocking for someone like me, who has core memories from her childhood of reading in bed with my parents before going to sleep and for someone who could furnish a small children’s library with the amount of books we own.
However, I have also worked to support some incredibly disadvantaged families, and know that circumstances sometimes mean that this is a sad fact of today, that is, in some cases, unavoidable.
I LOVE books and have a secret fantasy that I will one day write a children’s book (or 10). But reading doesn’t always come that easily to children, despite the amount of effort we as their parents put into it.
As a year 1 teacher, phonics was king. It was all we could talk about some days. Phonics helps (some) kids to learn to read. But what if it doesn’t? What happens to those children? Frustration, anger, shame. All feelings that will not enable them to learn, even when the want to. In fact. These feelings are much more likely to make them avoid it entirely. It is much safer for us to not try, than to try and fail.
So what can we do in these circumstances? My answer is probably something you aren’t expecting.
It is to stop. Stop with the phonics and the levelled reading books designed to help your child read, but are often actually a bit boring (there are more and more fantastic ones coming out now though!).
Stop putting the pressure on and get the love for books and reading back. Read to them. Read anything – comic books (SO popular right now), chapter books (I read most of Roald Dahl to my girl before she turned 6), cereal boxes, non-fiction books. ANYTHING as long as it is enjoyed. Don’t expect them to read a word until they want to. Now, believe me, this is going to be SO HARD.
My daughter went through it herself, and even with all my training, it was difficult. The daughter of a teacher and book-lover simply must love reading herself, right? But guess what – if you push them, they will push back harder. Trust them – enjoy reading together, and they WILL want to learn. And make sure they see you reading too – no, not just your phone! Reading for the enjoyment of it. Think of it as self-care that is doing your children some fabulousness too!
Reading is not just about physically being able to do it. It is about the enjoyment of learning new things or discovering new worlds.
I’m Abi Clarke, and I work with families to empower them to understand and nurture the joy and power of child-led learning. You can find me at @i.am.abi.spark on Instagram or Abi Spark on Facebook.
Such valid points Abi! Thanks for sharing!