Book Recommendations for Reception/Year 1 + How to support my Child's reading journey?

[SnappyCat26]

Hi all,

Apologies for my previous post; I was in an unreasonable state of panic (due to my BPD), which made me come off as the crazy woman I am.🙃I swear I'm not a troll or sh**poster, just a mum with multiple mental disorders.

I'm trying to get the post deleted, but apparently you can only report it and hope for it to be removed.

I'm gonna take Bella to the local library as soon as her Reception class ends (at 3 pm). 🙂

Post is as it says, what books are you reading to your (4-6-year-old) children?

Also, tips on how to support my child's reading journey through Reception into Year 1 come September, as an absent mum who had no children's books with words (only baby books with different materials for touching) in the house until my child started school?

Do you recommend any programmes like Bookstart?

I'm willing to pay money to buy books for my child's education as it's for the greater good.

Thanks for the help, 😊

Love Cat xoxo 💞

Just read to her. Doesn’t matter what. Go to charity shops and buy loads of books and let her explore. Make it a fun thing you do together-not a lesson. Point out words on labels when you’re shopping. Have a word with her teacher. And most of all-don’t panic!!!!

It's fine. School will teach her to read. Your job is just to read to her. Pick out a couple and read one to her every night before bed. Keep the books somewhere she can access them if she wants to browse. Some ideas: Eric Carle is always popular. The Ahlbergs, Shirley Hughes, Jill Murphy, Usborne non-fiction.

You’re already doing the right thing by caring and wanting to support her. Regular reading together matters far more than having a “perfect” start.

Julia Donaldson books are brilliant for that age (The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Room on the Broom), plus Mog books, Hairy Maclary, Winnie the Witch, Oi Frog, and the “What the Ladybird Heard” series. Libraries are amazing because kids can explore what they naturally enjoy without you spending loads.

For supporting reading, keep it relaxed and fun rather than “school-like”. Even 10 minutes a day helps massively. Let her point at words, predict what happens next, sound out simple words, and reread favourites over and over. Reception and Year 1 teachers expect children to be at very different stages, so don’t panic if she’s not reading fluently yet.

BookTrust and Bookstart are both great, and your local library may also run free rhyme/story sessions. Honestly, a parent reading with interest and encouragement gives children such a huge boost already.

Just read to her, it really helps to read books over and over, and once you and she are familiar with the story follow the words with your finger.

Our favourite books from ages 2-5

Hairy McClary - Lynley Dodd
Slinki Malinki - Lynley Dodd
Any of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes
Dogger - Shirley Hughes
Lucy and Tom's ABC - Shirley Hughes
Madeleine
Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
Zog - Julia Donaldson
Angelina Ballerina
Fancy Nancy series
Five minutes peace - Jill Murphy
Whatever next - Jill Murphy
Princess Smartypants
The Paperbag Princess
Oi Frog series
Margaret's Unicorn
The Tiger who came to tea
Brambley hedge stories

I work in reception and the fact you care and want to help is the best bit.

Read lots. Read her school book at least a few times a week.

Go to the library and let him pick her own books. Don’t worry if they seem rubbish or too old (within reason obviously!) or babyish if she wants to engage with it then great.

Make a bedtime story part of your routine. That calm reading time is magical.

When your out and about look at signs together ask her to read it - so if you see a bus stop sound it out together and see if she can blend it.

Play lots of games together. Rhyming games are great. Eye spy helps recognising initial sounds (use the phonics sounds)

Just small every day things can really make a difference.