Page 26 - FWG Issue 2 March 2025

Today’s Child

Read aloud, together
Reading aloud isn’t just for toddlers – TO HELP YOU GET STARTED, HERE ARE SOME
primary school children often love being RECOMMENDED BOOKS BROKEN DOWN BY AGE
read to, even up to grade 6 or 7. It’s about GROUP:
picking a book that’s engaging and age-
appropriate. Sharing a story as a family can For young children (ages 0-5):
turn reading into a relaxing and memorable • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
bonding activity. Gathering together to • Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
enjoy a chapter each night or discussing • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
the plot builds a sense of connection, • Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
making reading feel like quality time. • Anything by Julia Donaldson

Let kids pick their books For foundation phase children (ages 6-9):
Letting children choose their own books is • The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
key to keeping them interested. Take them • The Twits by Roald Dahl
to the library or a bookshop and encourage • George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
them to browse and pick what catches • The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
their eye – comics, animal books, mysteries, • Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
anything that excites them. The choice is
theirs, and that makes all the difference. For intermediate phase children (ages 10-13):
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Use technology smartly • The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Technology can be a fantastic support for • Matilda by Roald Dahl
children with reading challenges, such • The Witches by Roald Dahl
as dyslexia or ADHD. Audiobooks and • Holes by Louis Sachar
interactive e-books provide access to stories
in a way that feels natural without putting For teenagers (ages 13-18):
pressure on traditional reading skills. For • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
children with dyslexia, engaging with stories • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
through these formats is not “cheating” – it’s • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by
a way to enjoy the richness of books without Mark Haddon
the struggle. Digital tools open reading, • 1984 by George Orwell
making it enjoyable and achievable for all • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
children, so they can dive into stories and
explore new worlds in their own way.

Make time for reading without screens
Setting aside time for reading without
screens allows children to get into the
habit. This could be a family reading time
after dinner or a weekend hour where
everyone picks up a book. Little by little,
reading becomes part of their daily routine,
and they’ll come to enjoy this quiet time
away from screens.

Celebrate little reading wins
Acknowledging progress helps children
see reading as something positive. Simple
celebrations, like chatting about a story
they enjoyed or planning a book-themed
activity, can make a big impact. Even
setting up a mini book club with friends
or family brings excitement to reading and
gives them something to look forward to.
Helping children love reading is a gift that
lasts a lifetime. Creating space for books in
a world full of screens helps them explore, Photo by Catherine Hammond unsplash
imagine, and grow. By making reading part
of family life, you’ll give them a love for
stories that’s always there, just waiting to
be enjoyed.

Fourways Gardens • 24 • March 2025