The Summer Reading Tree: Parents
Scéim Samhraidh um Léitheoireacht
"Zoe and Jack took part in the initiative last summer. Along with the enjoyment of the books they read, they loved seeing their names placed on the tree and watching the leaves increasing on each visit. I felt it gave them extra encouragement to keep up their reading - especially in the summer months" - Kathryn Fitzgibbon (Thurles)
"As a parent I would like to endorse the Reading tree as a great summer activity. All four of my children have participated at one time or another. For a very young preschool - junior infant child, I found it a good way to get the child interested in picture books and simple word books. They love to see their name on a leaf hanging on the tree. For the older primary school child reading is a wonderful alternative to TV, computer games and playstation during rainy summer days.An added bonus is that I found my kids continued to read throughout the year. After participating in the Reading Tree, one of my children jumped two reading levels when school resumed last September" Clonmel Library Borrower - Karen Coyle
The Importance of Family Literacy during the Summer Holidays
Now that the summer holidays are here, parents would be wise not to neglect their children’s reading. Don't let the holidays prevent your child from improving literacy. This is especially important for children with learning difficulties. These children often make great progress during the school year. However, the summer holidays are long and regular reading needs to be a daily activity. Ongoing support should occur at home to ensure that children retain their reading skills. Research indicates that skills will be lost over long holiday periods and students that continue to read over holiday periods usually improve and retain skills taught in school. Here are some Family Reading tips to help your family enjoy books and reading this summer.
Select and share books and reading material with your children
Encourage your children to select their own books. This gives the child a sense of involvement and ownership of the book, thus encouraging them to read. Shared reading can a be a very special time for child and parent. If possible set aside 20 – 30 minutes a day to relax together and read a story, a chapter, a few pages (use a bookmark and don't try to persuade your child to finish a book he or she doesn't like). For older children newspapers, magazines can be used as well, especially if they are interested in factual reading rather then fiction. You will be surprised how much you will find out about your child! These parent/child or family reading session can become a much anticipated part of the day, as long as it is relaxed, uninterrupted, consistent and varied.
Be a reading role model
A family reading time shows that you like to read. Because you value reading, your children will too. It is especially important for dads, granddads, uncles and older brothers to role model reading to younger male family members. Research shows that boys are more reluctant readers, especially of fiction. Reading of fiction can help children empathise with people in other situations, it helps them think beyond there own environment. Parents should read a variety of reading material in view of their children, encouraging quiet reading time and also read aloud to their children. This is especially important for a child who is discouraged by his or her own poor reading skills. The pleasure of listening to you read, rather than struggling alone, may restore your child's initial enthusiasm for books and reading. Finally, always praise their efforts.
Talk about what you read
Read slowly and pause occasionally to think out loud about a story. You can speculate: "I wonder what's going to happen next!" Or ask a question: "Do you know what a palace is?" Talking about stories they read helps children develop their vocabularies, link stories to everyday sense out of stories
Limit T.V.
Most parents will say that they don’t have time to spend 20-30 minutes reading to their children. Cutting down on how much T.V. you and your children watch can help create time for reading activities. As little as 10 minutes of reading a day can help improve your child's skills and habits.
Make reading part of your family life
Just like us, children tend to be selective about what they read. Having a selection of books (fiction and non-fiction), newspapers, magazines, charts, recipe books (cooking with your child is a great way to develop vocabulary) around the house will give children choice. As books can be quite expensive, getting your child to join the local library can be a great way or providing variety of books around your home for free. Set aside a special place for children to keep their own books. Play games that are reading-related. Check your closet for spelling games played with letter tiles or dice, or board games that require players to read spaces, cards, and directions. On gift-giving occasions, give books, comics and magazines based on your child's current interests.
Library Visits
Take your children to the library regularly. Explore the children's section together. Ask a librarian to suggest books and magazines your children might enjoy. Present reading as an activity with a purpose; a way to gather useful information for, say, planning a family trip. For example, if you were going to visit a farm, call to your local library and borrower books on animals and farming. This will help the child to appreciate the skill of information gathering and how it can help enhance their enjoyment of activities.
“The benefits of literacy are deeply tied to individuals self- esteem, confidence and personal empowerment.” UNESCO. Give your child the gift of reading and knowledge this summer. To help Tipperary Libraries are running a Summer Reading Tree for children of all ages, so drop into your local library and get the kids to join up ( Kids are FREE) and enjoy summer reading and get yourself to get some great summer reads while you are there. Also, check out our website for many more useful tips http://www.tipperarylibraries.ie/schools/links.shtml as well as Free access to Britannica Encylopedia for library members.
last updated on: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:39:59 IST
Thosaigh Crann Léitheoireachta an tSamhraidh i Leabharlanna Tiobraid Árann ar an Luan 2 Iúil 2007. Ba chúis bhróid é do Bhanc na hÉireann urraíocht a thabhairt ar an scéim, a bhí ar oscailt do ghach aoisghrúpa.
Le haghaidh gach uile leabhar a léigh páiste, cuireadh duilleog lena ainm agus le hainm an leabhair air ar an gCrann Léitheoireachta. D’fhás na crainn seo sna leabharlanna, áit a raibh spás dóibh, agus chroch na páistí a nduilleoga féin.
Ag deireadh na scéime, ar 31 Lúnasa 2007, bhí na crainn lán. Buíochas le gach duine a ghlac páirt, is sibhse a chuir leo. Gheobhaidh gach duine a ghlac páirt teastas léitheoireachta agus bonn ag searmanas i leabharlann áitiúil.
Na Leabharlanna a ghlac páirt ná an Chathair, Carraig na Siúire, Cluain Meala, Cill Náile, an tAonach, Ros Cré, Durlas agus Tiobraid Árann. D’éirigh go maith leis an scéim agus ta buíochas mór le dul go ghréasáin bhrainsí Banc na hÉireann i dTiobraid Árann. Gan a dtacaíocht siúd, ní bheadh na boinn speisialta á tabhairt do na páistí a ghlac páirt.
Féach anseo le haghaidh pictiúir den chrann léitheoireachta i Leabharlann na Cathrach
nuashonraithe ar: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:39:59 IST