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Parent Zone

Reading at Home

Reading helps your child’s wellbeing, develops imagination and has educational benefits too. Reading takes practice. Here are some suggestions for things you can do Just a few minutes a day can have a big impact on children of all ages.

Top tips for supporting your child to read:
  • Make time for reading – find a time of the day that works best for you and your child.
  • Read together – involve your child in reading to younger siblings.
  • Read aloud regularly - stories matter and children love re-reading them and poring over the pictures. Try adding funny voices to bring characters to life.
  • Follow their interests – read books about favourite characters or topics. It’s ok if your child only wants to read one kind of book.
  • Don’t just read books – encourage your child to read comics, magazines, cookery books etc.
  • Make use of your local library – it’s free to join! You can borrow films as well as books.
Online Resources

The BookTrust has lots of helpful information about reading to children of different ages.

The OxfordOwl website has a free eBook library created to help children aged 3-11 to develop their reading skills at home. Please note, the eBooks are not optimised for mobile phones and are best viewed on a computer, laptop, or tablet.

Library App

BorrowBox is an app run by Blackburn and Lancashire libraries. You need to become a member of the library to use it:

Click to join your local library.

Scroll down and click I accept. This will bring up an online application form. You need to set up a PIN (4 numbers) that your child will need to remember. Complete your child’s details under personal details. Complete your details under Guarantor details to give parental consent. Click continue.

It will bring up a screen with your UNREG number on. You need to write this number down with their PIN number that you added in the personal details.

Once you have registered, you can download the BorrowBox app onto your phone or iPad:

Register here for BorrowBox.

Select the Blackburn with Darwen library service. Enter your UNREG number (or your library membership number if you already have a library card) and your PIN number. You can then start borrowing eBooks and audio books.

You will need to go to Blackburn library with your UNREG number to collect your library card to be able to take out actual books from the library.

Supporting Early Reading

At St Thomas’s Centre we follow the Read Write Inc. Phonics scheme with our primary pupils. Information for parents can be found in the following Parents Guide if you would like to find out more. Your child’s teacher will be able to advise what Set of Sounds your child is currently learning.