Rotherham Loves Reading

Proficiency in reading, writing and spoken language is vital for our children’s academic achievement, future wellbeing and success in life: in school, in training and at work. It offers both educational and emotional benefits through not only opening up the academic curriculum but though opening up the world of books and therefore, life.

To the individual it matters emotionally, culturally and educationally; because of the economic impacts within society, it matters to everyone.

Developing a love of books and reading at the earliest opportunity enables every child to have improved life opportunities.

This is why we are committed to continuing to raise standards of literacy for all and are supporting ‘Rotherham Loves Reading.’

What is the Early Years & Childcare Service involvement?

It has been two years since we launched our Early Years Rotherham Loves Reading campaign and we have been delighted with the support that early years and childcare providers have shown for it.

We now have twelve books for each of the age groups:

• 2’s and under
• 3 to 4 year olds
• Foundation 2 (Reception)

Each book has comprehensive activity sheets that can be used to facilitate planning and to share home learning ideas with parents over a two year rolling cycle.

In addition to the activity sheets, over the next two years we will be adding vocabulary sheets to accompany each of the books. The vocabulary sheets have been differentiated to reflect the age and stage of the target children and provide practitioners and parents with the word and an accompanying image to support children’s understanding. For the books for the 3 to 4 year olds and F2 children there is a core vocabulary list and an extension vocabulary list with more sophisticated words to offer challenge.

It is always great to see how you are all supporting Rotherham Loves Reading in your settings, so please share what you’ve been up to with your Tiny Talkers on the Tiny Talkers Rotherham – Early Years Professionals Facebook group - Tiny Talkers Rotherham - Early Years Professionals | Facebook

The twelve books for the two year rolling cycle are: