Reception children given ebooks

[Santacat]

Our school is issuing reception children with ebooks available via a portal online this year instead of a traditional book. They've changed how they teach phonics and don't have enough reading books.

I'm so sad about this. More screen time, removing the ability to spontaneously pick up a school book to read.

My eldest learnt the traditional way, and whilst it was a battle at the beginning, he now loves a book.

Has anyone else's child learnt to read via an ebook? Looking for some reassurance that it will foster a love of reading!

But then how would their donors milk more money out of schools?

Wherever you seem to look with this government, contracts seem to be chosen on the basis of making money for someone connected to the government, rather than getting best quality or value for money.

E books have their place- I used to buy some picture books on kindle to use with tablets with my DCs and then use the same book in class on the whiteboard so they could all see easily. That was alongside shelves of actual books and trips to the library.

To be honest with you OP, I would read the school books but wouldn't be precious about sticking to them - it's your child and letting them read outside of the scheme can only be a good thing. You are not going to undo the work done in school by them reading another phonics book.

Role modeling is the best way to promote reading. Also join local library and do lots of reading together. Even with books in school a lot of children don't read for pleasure.

@StripyHorse thank you for the reassuring message. I'll be a lot more confident to use my purchased phonics books if I know it won't confuse him.

We've got plenty of storybooks at home as the local charity shop does 5 for £1. Very lucky indeed!

My 6 year old practises her phonics learning with an ebook.

She also has a story every night and goes to the library each week and chooses loads of books to read.

No one has banned you from reading books. Lots of school work is done on apps and screens these days, it's much more cost effective and better for the environment than printing everything.

Yes, they have illustrations. They're exactly the same as a paper book but on a screen.