If they are not already members of a local library, take them along and obtain readers tickets. A library provides access to a wide range of books and materials, which can be used to help research homework, as well as exploring the wonderful world of books and the pleasure of reading.
Sit down and read to them, or let them read to you. Once they have begun to read for themselves they should read as widely as possible, all kinds of stories and non-fiction. It will widen their horizons and inspire their imagination.
If they really like or dislike a book, encourage them to identify why? Is it the story line or the characters? Who is their favourite character in the book? Perhaps the story goes too slow or too quick for them? This matches in with the National Curriculum in that children of this age are encouraged to distinguish between fiction and non-fiction; and to comment on characters and ideas.
Children should become familiar with all types of genre from fantasy to adventure, humour to factual information.
Storyboarding will encourage both creativity and literacy. Divide a piece of paper into six or eight squares, with room underneath for some words. Stories are drawn using a sequence of pictures, accompanied by simple sentences explaining what is happening. This is particularly useful for reluctant writers, since it does not require them to write too much at any one point. However, it does mean they have to do some writing, think logically and material has to be produced in sequence – all skills that will be useful in school.
It will encourage familiarity with spelling simple words, as well as encouraging them to try out new ones. Finding ideas for storyboarding is not difficult – they could write about animals, their pets – perhaps their pet has done something mischievous or naughty; it could be about a place they have visited such as a castle or wood; a fairy tale character or a sporting character.
Cut out a picture with some people or animals in from a magazine or travel guide and ask the simple question, ‘What happens next?’ What happens when the people or animals start moving? Where do they go? Have they hidden from someone? Are they having a treasure hunt? Has someone got lost? Discuss the idea with the child using a few leading questions – what are they looking for? Who is looking for them? How do they find them? This will give the basis for a story that the child can then illustrate in the storyboards.
Be prepared to help them with spelling and vocabulary. If your child can read, show them how to look up words in a junior dictionary.
