Parents encouraged to read 'basic life skill stories' to children
Friday, August 10, 2018
To help children prepare for starting school, the charity Booktrust has put together a booklist for parents of pre-schoolers and toddlers covering 'everyday life skills'.
As there is growing concern that an increasing number of four- and five-year-olds are starting school without being able to communicate or use the toilet, Booktrust is encouraging parents to start reading ‘basic life skill stories’ to their children, ahead of their move to Reception so that they don’t fall behind, and to help ease the burden on teachers.
The charity has put together a list of books aimed at children aged two to four, covering life skills such as using the toilet, using words to communicate and tying shoe laces, including:
My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Patterson- We Wear Pants by Katie Abey
Hugo Makes a Change by Scott Emmons and Mauro Gatti - My New Shoes by Leilani Sparrow
Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said, ‘We know there are an increasing number of demands placed on parents and that they’re busy all of the time but using books and stories as an opportunity to start discussions with young ones to prepare them for school can go a long way to help get them ready to start in the new term. If cost is a concern, then why not visit your local library or hold a book swap. There are so many great books out there to help get the conversation started so why not add these to your summer reading list.’
- The full list of books is available here
