How to give your child a ‘head start’. Having books to read at home could make or break their future.

There is no better gift that you can give your child than a BOOK.

We know that when children have books to read at home they are more likely to read for pleasure and have a better vocabulary.

It is said that a child spends 900 hours a year in school and 7800 at home. I encourage you to create a ‘reading corner’ for your child and to think before you buy that next toy, rather buy your child a book.

From babies to children in their early years and all the way through to early teens, having books to read at home brings profound and wide-ranging benefits that can have a lifelong positive impact on children’s lives.

 A recent study covering 35 countries of varying income levels found that having at least one children’s book at home almost doubled the likelihood of the child being on track in literacy and numeracy.

Look at this alarming statistic: - PRETORIA - SA, 26 May 2023 – The number of households who reported having zero access to books at home reached 43%.

Interesting facts to think about:

·       Children with access to 25 books or more at home complete an average of 2 more years at school than children from homes without any books.

·       Children 4 to 5 years old gain 6 months of reading ability by being read to 3 to 5 times a week.

·       Research shows that just 20 minutes a day spent reading to a child helps them develop critical thinking skills.

·       Children who start reading early and continue reading throughout childhood have greater general knowledge.

·       Children who read books that offer opportunities to empathise with the characters have increased levels of empathy towards others.

·       Stories with imaginative and magical elements enable children’s minds to transcend their immediate context, freeing them from a fixed way of thinking. 

Studies consistently demonstrate that the home literacy environment and particularly the quantity and quality of talking, interacting, and reading with a child during the early years are strongly associated with language and cognitive development, school readiness and academic performance.

 "Do you want to give your child the best chance at succeeding academically by building a strong foundation for their future? 

That’s why Climb into Reading was created.

Written by a former teacher and principal with over 30 years of experience teaching children how to read, this expertly crafted series of Foundation phase readers is designed to help children become confident readers and excel in their learning.

Visit www.climbintoreading.com today to discover how YOU can make a difference in your child's future success."