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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools should send reading books home over the holidays?

166 replies

DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 11:49

My kids school hasnt sent any reading book or library book home at all for the holidays. AIBU to think this is daft because
a) it sends the message that reading is hard/not enjoyable and one needs a "break" from it
b) its likely to widen the gaps between children with engaged parents who'll ensure their kids keep reading/enjoying books any way, and the kids for whom the reading book from school was the only book in the house.
c) it's a shame for a keen reader who'd happily get stuck into a book over the winter holidays when the weather is crap outside.

OP posts:
OldaRailer · 20/12/2021 17:14

Op has books.

OldaRailer · 20/12/2021 17:14

It's about building an ethos round reading for pleasure whatever the resources at home.

CrapSticks · 20/12/2021 17:16

Can’t you just buy your kids their own books?

OldaRailer · 20/12/2021 17:17

She has.

OldaRailer · 20/12/2021 17:17

Op as you see it's every family for themselves out there.Hmm

rrhuth · 20/12/2021 17:19

@DeepaBeesKit

It's a school policy. No books/homework over the holiday. They make a bit of a thing of what a lovely break it is.
It is a policy I agree with.

They are not saying reading isn't important, they are saying taking a proper break is healthy. Workaholism is not healthy.

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 17:23

I agree OP. DSs s hook have brought home a reading book (changed on a Wednesday) and a library book (changed in a Thursday) so even if you refuse to let your child read on "holiday" there's still the wrapped week either side of the holiday. Christmas present is always a book too. Yes his school is in an area of deprivation and poor parental attainment

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 17:25

@kweeble

You have a role in your child’s education and need to stop relying on school to direct your time at home. There are lots of lovely educational things for you to do and it’s really nice to have books at home.
Oh do read ops posts.
Sirzy · 20/12/2021 17:31

I a reading household removing the pressure of school books over the holidays is actually quite possibly a good thing as the reading can be for pleasure.

In the households who don’t read without a book from school most wouldn’t over holidays even if they did send them.

LittleBabyCheeses · 20/12/2021 17:32

They are not saying reading isn't important, they are saying taking a proper break is healthy. Workaholism is not healthy

Reading isn’t ‘work’ though. It’s leisure.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/12/2021 17:36

Parents need to take some sort of responsibility for their own kids, and maybe suggesting they read a book which they supply is a good start!

Sirzy · 20/12/2021 17:37

@LittleBabyCheeses

They are not saying reading isn't important, they are saying taking a proper break is healthy. Workaholism is not healthy

Reading isn’t ‘work’ though. It’s leisure.

But for many children school reading scheme books are work and they take away from the pleasure of curling up with a book (or comic or whatever) of your choice
SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 18:09

Surely schools stihab libraries and let's free choose though @Sirzy?

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 18:10

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Parents need to take some sort of responsibility for their own kids, and maybe suggesting they read a book which they supply is a good start!
Which would be fine, but lots of families won't. I heard a parent moaning because the Christmas present was a book. And not in an "oh we have that one" but as in "what a waste, that's not a present!"
MarieChristmas · 20/12/2021 18:55

@SleepingStandingUp well, thats down to parenting styles and nothing else.

Schools cannot be a band aid for everything that parents aren't willing to do.

None do the schools I have worked in have ever sent home books during holidays. We gather them in the last week. Too many get lost or damaged as people travel/visit or have visitors etc.

And @DeepaBeesKit I have never ever come across reason A. The other two, I can see your point, but again, schools can't fix home situations or set examples for parenting.

Perhaps you could arrange a book swap between parents? Or set your own christmas read challenge?

I would approach the school and see what can be set up before the next school holiday but be proactive if you are unhappy and would like to see change.

Soontobe60 · 20/12/2021 18:58

@DeepaBeesKit

No need for you to worry about other people.

Wouldn't society be a fine thing if we all took this attitude

So your kids are fine playing with their toys all Christmas because they can read, whilst little Johnny who’s not yet mastered phonics has to do his reading daily to catch up. Sounds fair to me 🤷🏼‍♀️
Bunnycat101 · 20/12/2021 19:05

I suspect the attainment gap over Christmas probably wouldn’t be as big as other holidays as people are generally so busy. Summer holidays I suspect would be more critical. Eg between reception and year 1, mine still read everyday. I know lots of people who didn’t in her class and I don’t think it is a coincidence she’s ahead with reading.

For Christmas, we’ll read our own books but I will be making my eldest read as I don’t want her to lose her progress.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/12/2021 19:08

@SleepingStandingUp

I do get that but where do we draw the line? In my last school I nit combed a girl in my tutor groups hair about 2 weeks every month!

LolaButt · 20/12/2021 19:18

I don’t rely on a teacher to ensure my child reads at home tbh.

If a parent wants their child to read then they will, regardless of whether a book has been sent home.

3luckystars · 20/12/2021 19:19

Buy your own books.

FingChristmasFamily · 20/12/2021 19:38

I’m sure you have books in the house. You don’t have to solely rely on what school send home.

PathOfLeastResitance · 20/12/2021 19:40

In my experience the homework over Christmas rarely gets done and if it does, it’s a rush job that isn’t worth it. Plus the books go missing over Christmas way more than the other breaks (not sure why, general chaos at Christmas time?).
If you are desperate to do extra with your child then there is plenty out there to access. The library is also open.

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 20:13

[quote OnceuponaRainbow18]@SleepingStandingUp

I do get that but where do we draw the line? In my last school I nit combed a girl in my tutor groups hair about 2 weeks every month![/quote]
And obv that's above and beyond. But we're talking about sending them home with their usual two books, not offering to take them to their local library over Xmas and read to them. I'm not sure what other schools do by way of presents but even that, at least that's 4 books they'll own by Yr 2 if s hook do a book each year

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 20:14

@FingChristmasFamily

I’m sure you have books in the house. You don’t have to solely rely on what school send home.
Do read ops posts. She wasn't talking about her own children having nothing to read. It is possible to care about other people's kids or kids in general.
OldaRailer · 20/12/2021 20:30

I know, it's amazing how people took her op though.