Starting school - on the road to reading

Your child is just settling into primary school after leaving the familiar environment of nursery school, pre-school playgroup or home. Now they will be expected to sit still and concentrate for longer periods

You begin to realise that your baby is a baby no longer. He/she looks so serious going to school with that big school bag! You can encourage your children by following their school work closely and, in particular, by showing an interest in their reading.

It is not easy

Your child may be eager to learn to read and write but they will soon discover that it is hard work. It is important not to let them get discouraged. You may find you are not as relaxed about your child's progress as you would like to be.

If things do not go according to plan, you might see it as a failure. Perhaps you feel helpless and don't know what to say when they burst into tears because, 'It's too hard, I can't do it!'. It is not always easy to help a child who, sometimes, doesn't understand what he/she is reading.

It takes a long time

Your child may need to repeat things again and again. In the early days, the meaning of a story can be completely lost as they struggle with the words themselves.

You, as a parent, may feel impatient and worried. Is it normal that your child is still slowly fumbling his/her way, while a best friend is whizzing through whole books?

The road to reading is often rocky. Your child might get out of breath, slow down or even come to a complete halt. Don't worry, they will get there in time.

Important points

Here are some important points to bear in mind which will help you be less anxious while your child is learning to read. There are also some little tips that can make an enormous difference!

Your child is in good hands

Your child's teacher is trained to teach children to read; it's part of the job. Each teacher will have an individual method and plan. They will also build up a relationship with the children. It is important to trust the teacher's judgement and respect the learning pace chosen for your child. Pushing your child on to the next stage too soon might result in problems in class.

Trust your child

At school, children learn how important it is to be able to read. Most will also know that parents want them to read. If your child seems to be struggling, try not to worry. Your child will sense your anxiety and, as a result, be less confident.

There are hares and there are tortoises

Each child learns to read at a different pace, depending, among other things, on personality, maturity and past experiences. Some will be hares and learn to read quickly and others will be tortoises who will take their time.

If you think your child is finding reading very difficult, consult the teacher. Teachers have the experience to put your child's progress into perspective and may be able to give you some ideas to use at home.

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