The start of a new school year is a natural time for children to get back into learning habits after the long summer break. While there may be new spellings to master and reading books arriving home again, strengthening literacy doesn’t have to mean adding lots of extra schoolwork to the family routine.
Reading, writing, vocabulary and comprehension develop through regular practice, and plenty of that can happen naturally at home. A few simple habits at the beginning of term can help children rebuild their confidence and give them a strong foundation for the months ahead.
Bring Reading Back Into the Daily Routine
After six weeks without the usual school timetable, some children need a little encouragement to start reading regularly again. Ten or fifteen minutes each day is a manageable place to begin.
Choice matters here. A child who isn’t interested in novels might happily read a comic, football magazine or book about dinosaurs. Older children may prefer graphic novels, biographies or mysteries. The important thing is that they’re engaging with words and enjoying what they’re reading.
If you need inspiration, our selection of great reads for children and teenagers of different ages is a useful starting point. There are plenty of options for different interests and reading abilities.
Talk About What They’re Reading
Being able to read the words on a page is only one part of literacy. Children also need to understand, interpret, and think about what they’ve read.
You can encourage this without turning reading time into a quiz. Ask what they thought about a character’s decision or whether they can guess what might happen next. With non-fiction, talk about something new they discovered.
For younger children, reading together gives you lots of opportunities for these conversations. Even older children can benefit from discussing books with you, particularly if you read the same title.
As we explored in our World Book Day reading ideas, allowing children some ownership over what they read can also make it much easier to develop a genuine reading habit.
Find Everyday Reasons to Write
Not every piece of writing needs to be an essay. In fact, everyday writing can be a much less intimidating way to practise.
Younger children could write the weekend shopping list, leave a note for somebody or create captions for family photographs. Older students might enjoy keeping a journal, reviewing a film they’ve watched or writing about something they’re interested in.
Try not to correct every spelling or grammatical mistake as soon as it appears. If children feel that everything they write is going to be marked, they may become reluctant to experiment with language. There will be times to focus on accuracy, but there should also be opportunities to simply enjoy writing.
Make New Words Part of Family Conversation
Building vocabulary helps children express themselves more clearly and can support reading comprehension too.
When an unfamiliar word appears in a book, programme or conversation, talk about what it means. Encourage your child to work it out from the context before reaching for a dictionary.
You can also have fun with language. Discuss unusual words, think of alternatives for commonly used ones or see who can use a newly discovered word naturally during the week. It shouldn’t feel like a vocabulary test.
Watch for Literacy Gaps Early
The first few weeks of term can sometimes reveal areas a child found difficult the previous year. Perhaps they’re avoiding reading aloud, struggling to understand longer passages, or finding written assignments increasingly frustrating.
Don’t assume these problems will simply disappear as the term progresses. Speak to their teacher and find out whether they’re noticing the same difficulties.
For children who need more individual attention, English tutoring can focus on areas including reading, comprehension, spelling, grammar and writing. One-to-one support also allows lessons to move at a pace that suits the individual learner.
Children with dyslexia or other learning differences may benefit from strategies tailored more specifically to their individual needs. Our advice on supporting children with learning differences explains some of the ways families can create a more supportive learning environment.
Build Literacy Little by Little
Strong literacy skills aren’t built through one long homework session. They’re developed gradually as children read, write, talk about ideas, and become more confident using language.
The beginning of the school year is a great opportunity to establish those habits before homework and other commitments begin piling up. Keep things relaxed, follow your child’s interests and aim for consistency rather than perfection.
If your child could use some extra support with English this year, Tutor Doctor can help. Find your nearest Tutor Doctor location and discover how personalised one-to-one tutoring can help your child strengthen their literacy skills and approach the new school year with confidence.
