The National Literacy Association (NLA) has for several
years used the Reading Roadshow as a vehicle to try and
kick-start, sustain, encourage and excite carers to read
with the children in their care (both residential and foster).
Usually the Roadshows are part of a project package, which
in the past have included helping children's homes to develop
a starter library of books, working with local libraries
to encourage membership and giving the children Reading
Adventure Passports (available from the NLA) so that they
can record what they have read.
The Roadshow however, is an extremely adaptable model and
can be freestanding - and can be aimed at many different
sorts of audiences, depending on needs, context and available
resources. The general pattern of the event involves a comfortable,
easily accessible venue, a programme that fits inside the
school day (so that carers can drop off and pick up their
children), a free lunch and crèche, and free books
that the carers can take away with them.
The day might begin with an introduction followed by an
inspirational talk about reading: children's book expert
Wendy Cooling has been a speaker in the past. Wendy talks
to the audience about the range of children's books available,
the purpose and necessity of reading with children, the
pleasure and advantages to be gained from it - illustrated
with a rich gallop through readings and anecdotes. There
is plenty of time for coffee/lunch/browsing the books, and
maybe a workshop troubleshooting problems - the 'It's all
very well saying read with your children but what do you
do when they are too big for bedtime stories?' type of thing.
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Then there is an afternoon session with, for example, a
poet who writes for children - or even better, works with
them, involving them in word play, games, rap and general
fun with the language. At our last Roadshow we had Dreadlockalien
(aka Richard Grant, below) who gave the audience lots of
ideas for reading and making poetry, which were definitely
on the cool radar.
The feedback we get from the carers is always (or nearly
always) extremely positive. Their comments suggest that
they really like getting away for the day, having some time
to themselves, some free books and lots of ideas about what
and how to read with their children - and a renewed (or
new) sense of purpose about so doing.
The main problem that we have faced in running Roadshows
is getting the audience there. We always work very closely
with local organisations who know where the carers are and
can advise on the best (ie easily accessible and comfortable)
venues and how to get publicity out to the right people
- or, best of all, will take responsibility for providing
the audience, while we just provide the show. Carers are
generally very busy people with many calls on their time
and we really have to work to make the day worthwhile and
attractive - but if we can get them there then it is a really
worthwhile day for everyone involved.
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