Reading consists of two dimensions: language comprehension and word reading. Language comprehension (necessary for both reading and writing) starts from birth. Writing involves transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating ideas and structuring them in speech, before writing).
Language comprehension develops when adults talk with children about the world around them as well as reading books together and enjoying rhymes, poems and songs. Skilled word reading, taught later, involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words.
Reading in the early years has numerous benefits for children. It helps to develop children’s vocabulary and language skills, improve their comprehension and critical thinking abilities, and increase their imagination and creativity.
Reading helps children to gain knowledge and understanding of the world around them and can foster a love of learning. Additionally, reading can help children to develop important social and emotional skills, such as empathy and understanding of different perspectives and is a wonderful bonding experience between child and carer.
Libraries provide free access to a wide range of books and other educational resources, exposing children to different cultures and diverse worlds. Libraries are a great way to meet other parents too, helping to form new friendships over a cup of coffee.
Creating an area and regular time to read books to children is beneficial because it creates a comfortable and inviting space for them to enjoy reading and a routine to look forward to. The Old Station nurseries have cosy Raving Readers corners where children can access books and read together.
Asking questions during story time such as, “I wonder what will happen next?” is beneficial to a child’s reading development because it encourages them to think critically and predict what might happen next in the story. It also encourages children to be more engaged in the story and to think more deeply about the characters, plot and themes.
This nursery is fantastic. My son loves attending and has made some lovely friends. He loves all of his teachers. The management has been great in supporting my family when we needed to increase his hours at short notice. The activities are great and the newly refurbished garden, and I can tell they do lots of reading, as he always talks about the new ones he learned. Great location too in the town centre. Highly recommended.
Sandhills is a very unique and special place. My little boy has attended since he was 13 months old, and he is now nearly 3 years old. He thoroughly enjoys it. The staff work so hard, and I feel like they genuinely care about the children. They are always playing outside, which I absolutely love, whether they are in their puddle suits and wellies or playing with the water sprinkler in their swimming costume in the warm weather. I'm expecting a second child, and they have been amazing with reading sibling books with him and practising feeding a pretend baby, which shows how they provide individualized care.
Our daughter really enjoys going to Sixpenny Nursery and has come along leaps and bounds with her education. She is learning so much about so many subjects, including outdoor activities about wildlife and animals, as well as her reading and writing. My wife and I are so pleased she goes there and highly recommended Sixpenny to anyone.