Supporting Parents with Their Child’s Reading

In a recent visit to The Grove Nursery, we had the pleasure of sitting down with early years expert and author Laura Henry-Allain MBE. During her visit, Laura shared her new book, Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up, and talked about the vital role of reading in the early years, offering valuable insights for parents and educators alike.

The Power of Storytelling

Reading with young children is not just about following the text word for word. It’s an interactive experience that sparks curiosity, imagination, and connections to the world around them. As Laura demonstrated with the children at the nursery, books can be a powerful tool for fostering conversations that encourage children to relate the stories they read to their personal experiences.

One parent shared her own journey with her child’s reading habits. Initially, she struggled to get her child to sit still for a traditional reading session. However, over time, she learned to embrace her child’s natural style of engaging with books—by looking at the pictures, making connections to their own life, and even “reading” the book aloud from memory. This process of memorising repetitive phrases, as discussed in the conversation, is one of the first steps toward learning to read.

Supporting Early Literacy at Home

Laura also emphasises the importance of making books readily available in the home, integrating reading into everyday routines. Whether it’s taking a book along for a bus ride or having books within easy reach during the evening routine, creating a reading-friendly environment helps children associate books with comfort and enjoyment. And libraries are a fantastic resource. Dhalia shares her own experience of receiving books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for her daughter Lilah, a program that delivers free books to children every month, fostering excitement around reading.

In addition to books, audio resources like podcasts and audiobooks can play a key role in supporting early literacy. Laura mentioned the JoJo and Gran Gran show, which not only airs on TV but also has audio episodes available on BBC Sounds. These resources are perfect for families looking for free, engaging content to help develop literacy skills.

The Importance of Relatable Stories

Another key point in Laura’s discussion is the value of choosing books that children can relate to. Whether it’s a book about going to the beach, like Laura’s character JoJo, or one about community and sharing like Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up, children are more likely to engage with stories that reflect their own experiences and interests. This not only strengthens their understanding but also deepens their emotional connection to the material.

Tips for Encouraging Early Literacy

To further support parents and caregivers, Laura shared some practical tips from her early years reading timeline:

Carry a book everywhere: Always have a book on hand for impromptu reading moments, whether it’s on a bus ride or waiting for an appointment.
Make reading part of the evening routine: Create a cozy reading nook where children can explore books before bed.
Explore library resources: Many local libraries allow families to borrow a large number of books, making it easy to explore a variety of topics that will interest your child.
Engage with the community: If a child has a special interest, whether it’s trains, football, or cooking, let parents know they can talk to their local library staff about finding books related to that theme. Many libraries offer to order books for you if they don’t have them in stock.
Listen to audiobooks: Encourage families to make use of free audiobooks available on BBC Sounds, offering a range of stories that support literacy development.

Night, story and curious child in bedroom for bonding, care and learning development with father. Dad, black family and reading fairytale or education book with daughter for home bedtime routine.

Create a cozy reading nook where children can explore books before bed.

Conclusion

Laura’s visit to The Grove Nursery was a reminder of how crucial early literacy is to a child’s development. By creating an environment that encourages exploration and making reading a fun, interactive experience, we can help children build a lifelong love for books. From borrowing books from the library to enjoying free audiobooks, there are countless ways to enrich children’s reading experiences and nurture their literacy skills from an early age.

Want to dive deeper into early literacy strategies? Download the full Early Years Reading Timeline available online for more insights and tips.