General aims of these sessions:

To encourage parents to engage with their children’s emerging literacy and to develop the habit of reading regularly with their children.

Week 1 – Topics and Activities

• Introduction and brief overview for parents
  Why reading with your child so important?
• Enjoying a good story! Tutor invites parents to get comfortable and listen to a story together!
• Choosing a book for your child: What makes a ‘good book’ for children?
• Parents choose a book for their child which they take home. They can also take and use a reading-log if this would be motivating for them

Week 2 – Topics and Activities

• Parents share their experiences: Feedback from parents on their chosen books
• Tips and demonstration on how to read with your child
• Talking about books and developing ‘book talk’ with children
• Parents choose and take home another book and use some of the ‘book talk’ ideas with their child

Week 3 – Topics and Activities

• Children could join parents for some of this session and get involved choosing their own book.
• Parents and children could give feedback from previous book
• Hands-on-Activity: Making a book together. Parents and children read together and listen to their stories.
• Parents get a copy of websites they can look at before the next session

Week 4 – Topics and Activities

• Parents choose final book
• How best to help reluctant and struggling readers
  Tips Handout (from dyslexia action website http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/)
• Practical ideas to encourage family reading habits:
  • Online resources: Interesting websites and You Tube clips
  • Creating a positive reading environment at home
  • Joining your local library
• Parents look at library website and do short related activity (possible library visit)
• Parent’s Exit Questionnaire and Evaluation