Reading experiences at home

On Wednesday evening, families and teachers enjoyed a wonderful evening with author / illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke. Maxine delighted us with her anecdotes and insights into how she gains inspiration for her story ideas and illustrations.

Maxine expressed that her book 'The Hate Race' will be part of the VCE English syllabus next year.

As part of the evening, families were invited to share a range of picture story books together. We spoke about the importance of continuing to share books together, irregardless of age. We encourage you to adopt a balanced approach to reading: Your child reads to you, you read to your child and you read a book together.

Your child has brought home a bookmark that can support the conversations you have at home when sharing literature with your child.

Reading aloud to your child:

Develops a life-long interest and love of reading

Encourages your child to develop interests in things going on beyond their immediate experience

Through the pages of a book, children are able to experience events and situations that are outside of their own personal experiences. They can picture life in other parts of the world and in other cultures

Prompts questions and curiosity

Stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world

You are modelling the use of phrasing and expression and your child will begin to recognise the 'rhythm' and 'melody' of language

As you read to your child, they visualise the book’s events in their minds (this is an important comprehension strategy that readers use)

You can observe how your child responds to story lines and can discuss the emotional impact of what they are reading

As you read and discuss books together you increase your child’s problem solving abilities and supports them in making predictions about the text

As you read aloud, you can fill in missing background information that helps your child better understand the book’s setting, historical background, and characters—details that might be missed if your child reads a book on their own

THE BIG IDEA

We live in a country where all citizens are part of a democratic society and have a responsibility to contribute to its prosperity.