Crossroads School has taken a unique approach to encourage reading and strengthen family bonds.
They have incorporated ‘reading breakfasts’ into their school calendar, off the back of The Ridge School’s idea, where parents or special persons are invited to join their child for breakfast and to read together before the start of the school day.
According to the school’s Tessa Turvey, the reading breakfasts are held two to three times a year. The event has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from learners and parents, with many families making it a tradition to attend each breakfast.
“The benefits of the reading breakfasts are manifold. Firstly, it encourages a love of reading in learners and helps to develop their literacy skills. Literacy skills are the foundation of learning,” she said.
Turvey added for many children with learning difficulties, reading was not easy.
“Research has shown that reading with a parent or special person can have a significant impact on a learner’s academic achievement and cognitive development. By providing a relaxed and enjoyable environment for reading, the school is promoting a positive attitude towards learning and fostering a lifelong love of reading.
“In our increasingly busy lives, it can be challenging to find time to connect with our learners on a meaningful level. By setting aside time for reading together, the school is helping families to prioritise this crucial aspect of parenting.”
She said a sense of community was so important to the school and these occasions engendered this actively.
“Families from different grade levels can come together and connect over a shared love of reading, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness. It provides an opportunity for parents to connect and build relationships, strengthening the overall sense of community at the school.”
The initiative is a shining example of how schools can take innovative approaches to education that benefit not only learners but families and communities as well.
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