My 3 Core Values…
I’ve had a weekend full of outdoor fun…
… with my little ones - which is now not only what I call my children but also the vegetable seedlings sprouting on my allotment! It’s my first attempt at growing vegetables at scale- and I had no idea I would get so attached to them!
I wanted to share with you the three core values that drive my mission at Reading Roots: they are designed to make early learning not just effective but also enjoyable for every child.
Make Learning FUN.
I believe that the best learning happens when children are fully engaged and having fun which is why I integrate toys and play as much as I can when I am supporting children to read. If your child is reluctant to read a book, why not invite their favourite toys along to hear them read it? If they don’t want to learn their phonics sounds by sitting at a table and recalling sounds off flashcards, why not turn the flashcards into a game of hide and seek around the house or garden? Watch this video for some ideas.
2. Get Them OUTSIDE
Nature is one of the greatest classrooms, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Instead of teaching the basics of reading to your child at a table indoors, why not take them outside instead? Could you play ‘eye-spy’ on your walk to school to develop their awareness of the sounds that make up words (we call this phonemic awareness)? Could you support them to recognise two-letter sounds (digraphs), such as ‘ch’, by drawing them with sticks in the mud or in the sandpit? Fresh air and a change of scenery can turn any learning activity into a memorable experience.
3. Avoid SCREENS for learning.
In today’s digital age, it is easy to rely on screens for educational content. However, at Reading Roots I believe that children should be learning from real-world interactions. By avoiding screens, we encourage children to engage directly with their environment and educator (whether that refers to their teacher, peers or parents). They have a lifetime of screens ahead of them, so let’s keep them young and playful while we still can!
Thank you for being part of the Reading Roots community and for supporting our mission. I look forward to many more fun and enriching learning experiences together!
My "Get Them Reading: The Right Way" course will be ready soon, and you guys will be the first to hear about early-bird discounts. In the meantime, I'm going to be sharing videos on my social media over the next few months for parents of children who will be starting school soon which will guide you through the steps needed to help your child with their reading at home.
Warm wishes,
Miss Mabel, Founder of Reading Roots