Reading Matters delivers lunchtime seminars to parents
and carers in the workplace. The seminars aim to help parents
create a stimulating, fun, non-pressurised reading environment
in the home and give parents the tools to instil in their
children a genuine lifelong love of books. Many parents
just need the confidence and reassurance to know that they
are complementing the way reading is taught in school.
Parents are undoubtedly a child's first and most important
teacher. Schools are very keen for pupils to practise reading
at home, yet not all parents receive sufficient guidance
as to how to support their children effectively. The Reading
Matters seminars are written and delivered by primary school
teachers and address all the common questions, concerns
and difficulties experienced by parents trying to support
their children's reading at home.
The seminars are short and concise - aimed at the needs
of busy working parents. They enable parents to maximise
the precious time that they have to spend with their children
and ensure that it is 'quality time'. They also help parents
positively influence their child's future attitude to learning
in general.
Reading Matters seminars target different age groups: under
4s (Pre-reading), 4-6s (Learning to Read) and 7-11s (Beyond
the Basics). They include advice on: sharing books with
young children, practical games, understanding how children
learn to read, tips on dos and don'ts when supporting children
in learning to read, recommended booklists, developing reference
skills, and strategies for children who can read but don't
want to, or for older children who are struggling.
Clients are wide-ranging and include investment banks,
law firms, accountancy firms, car manufacturers and NHS
hospitals. Most organisations provide the funding for seminars
as it gives them a valuable opportunity to show genuine
concern, interest and empathy with working parents who strive
to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly
from fathers, and every company has invited us back repeatedly.
Comments include:
"There were some amazing ideas. The
course broadened my thinking about reading - it should be
highly recommended for all parents."
"Great to have it at lunchtime at
work, otherwise I would never have done this. Never!"
Parents were also approached a year or two after attending
seminars to determine the long-term impact. Feedback included:
"We understand our son's frustrations
and can deal better with him."
"Reading is an enjoyable experience
rather than a chore."
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