Curriculum News

The Importance of Reading

This year, the teachers have been completing the Teaching & Assessing Reading in the Foundation Years course, which was developed in collaboration between Sydney Catholic Schools and the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). It aims to provide a systematic guide on the best, evidence-based strategies for teaching and assessing reading in K-2 in Sydney Catholic Schools. We have also found that it has provided teachers for all grades with a great foundational knowledge that can be applied to all years.

We all recognise the importance of reading. However, the extent of its impact and the benefits it can offer to our children might surprise you. It turns out that children gain a plethora of educational, cognitive, neurological, psychological, and emotional advantages from reading, and these benefits last throughout their lifetime.

Reading is not only about literacy; it involves much more than that. It alters the functioning of our brains, influences how we interact with others, and shapes our understanding of the world around us.

Here are just a few reasons why reading matters:

1. Reading boosts concentration. Children develop the ability to concentrate and exhibit discipline when engaging with books or listening to stories. 

2. Reading creates neural connections in the brain. Reading serves as a workout for your brain. It's not only that your brain interprets words and meanings when reading; it physically alters your brain's structure. 

3. Reading provides language lessons to children. It introduces children to the fundamentals of language, including rhythm, vocabulary, syntax, and word meanings. As children's exposure to reading increases, so does their ability to communicate.

4. Reading can foster empathy in children. Moreover, engaging with complex stories can enhance empathy in both children and adults. 

5. Reading promotes creativity. It ignites the imagination, allowing a child's mind to explore new ideas and concepts. Amid worries about a “creativity crisis” among children, it is comforting to know that reading nurtures innovation and originality.

With you in Faith and Education,

Mrs Kim O'Kane

Instructional Specialist