'I started reading more with the children'

“After each class I put some time aside to do the suggested activities which was great bonding time for me and my younger kids. After classes finished I started reading more to the children.”

A has four children aged 6, 3, 2 and 7 months. She first came across Learn to Love to Read during the COVID-19 pandemic through a nearby Children’s Centre. Her eldest child had a speech delay at the time but clearly loved listening to A reading books so it was suggested she came along to one of L2L2Rs Early Years classes. She’s gone on to attend another set of classes with her younger children too, attending four weekly sessions aimed at children aged 2-4 at her local library. She recalls both children enjoyed the classes: “One of mine especially loved the toys they were given and my other child loved the songs we sang.”

A goes on to say: “I really enjoyed the classes as they refreshed my mind of activities which I did with my eldest child but not the younger ones. Also new activities were shown which I never have tried. The classes were 40 minutes which was not too long at all as the time flew very quickly.”

The library where the classes were held was very close to her house and A really appreciated that the venue had nappy changing facilities and space for her baby’s buggy. She also loved the fact that there were plenty of cafes nearby to grab coffee or lunch afterwards.

After the classes A noticed that her younger child was singing the songs they learnt at home and the other showed a greater interest in books, pulling more out to read and asking to play with the Play-Doh that was part of the gift pack. A also deliberately made time at home to do some of the activities that were suggested during the classes. As well as finding it was a great opportunity for bonding with her younger children, she also began reading more to them, using many of the links sent to class attendees via WhatsApp in between the classes to practice their listening skills.

All Early Years class attendees receive a gift pack with books, puzzles and toys used during the classes. A’s children loved these resources, and she comments: “Tara, who lead the sessions, also gave me a book which is proving to be really helpful for all my children with pictures to talk about and ask questions which is helping to improve my children's level of understanding of who, what, why questions as well as questions requiring children to 'have a think.'” (You Choose your Dreams by Nick Sherratt and Pippa Goodheart)

The classes A attended were small groups of children and their parents/carers, and while there was space for a few more, she was glad there weren’t too many as it was the first time her children had taken part in a group activity session and didn’t want it to be too overwhelming for them.

So would A recommend Learn to Love to Read’s Early Years classes to other parents?

“I would highly recommend these classes to new parents as well as parents who have not attended for a few years as they are also good as refresher courses.”