Devon gets Reading

Devon gets Reading - for parents and carers

Devon gets Reading

The official website of the campaign is www.yearofreading.org.uk and this gives you lots of fresh ideas for enjoying and developing reading.

The best site for in-depth support for promoting reading is The Reading Agency.

A great place to start if you want to know about children’s books and authors is The Reading Zone.

If you have other information that you think would be helpful to other people using this page please send it to rmkirk@onetel.net.

Parents Week

Parents' Week, an annual and national event is promoted by Family & Parenting Institute, this year runs from 20th to 16th October. The aim is to focus on a particular aspect of family life. In Devon, there will be a focus on informing parents about the Children's Service Directory, and aiming to build the selection of parenting resource books in Devon's libraries.

Below is a list of books and publications which may be of use to parents who like to read and learn more about some of the ups and downs of being a parent together with new ideas, tested by other parents . I discovered an article in the Independent newspaper which said:… "our daughter asked for a good book on parenting"-- suggestions included:

"The Science of parenting" Margot Sunderland. A useful manual, helping parents to understand the influence they have on a child's brain and emotional development. It recommends hugs and stimulating play which develop healthy emotional responses.
"What Mothers do" Naomi Stadlen. Gives greater understanding of value of being a mum and builds confidence around parenting strategies which work within the family. There are other books which may also be helpful as follows:
From the Book People club, which anyone can join: "The secret of happy children" & "More secrets of happy children"Steve Biddulph. Encourages parents to have confidence in themselves and shows how to help children grow up full of self esteem and feeling loved. Shows positive ways to relate to children and gives information on how children experience emotions such as anger, fear etc. it includes fathering, ages and stages, differences in raising boys and girls with cartoon style illustrations, case studies, scenarios.
"Entertaining and educating young children" Usborne Parents' Guides. This has easy to read text, step by step instructions and illustrations, offers practical information and encourages jointly enjoyed activities.
"The ParentTalk guide to secondary school" written by Catherine Ellerby and edited by Steve Chalke. Sets out what a parent needs to know to help through stages of secondary education and school.. Practical , confidence building information for parentrs on transition, homework, additioal needs, exams and growing up with illustrations and website addresses.

There are numerous books to support fathers too.

"He's having a baby" Jack O'Sullivan. Publisher .Dorling Kindersley
"The fathers book" David Cohen. Publisher Wiley
"Idiots guide to fatherhood" Kevin Osborn. Publisher Alpha.
"Confident teens" Gael Lindenfield. Publisher Thorsens.

It would be good to hear from any parents who might have read thesee or similar books

Benefits of Bedtime Reading

There is clear evidence that bedtime reading with children is very beneficial. Read this short article.

Benefits of bedtime reading

News features from around Devon

Good book recommendations for your children

Do you want good recommendations for books for your children?

Finding the right books to recommend to your child can be a

challenge. www.lovereading4schools is a brand new site that is designed to help parents and schools to meet this challenge.

The site is supported by the reputable NCPTA, the National Council for

Parent Teacher Associations and has some strong and helpful

features. You can select the age of the child to recommend books for and read the opening pages of the selected books. There is also a discount available if you buy the books through the site. The site is commercial in that it wants to sell you books but there is no compulsion. The information it provides is free.