UK Literacy Trust survey on home reading practice

Young People’s Reading: The importance of the home environment and family support

This paper explores the types of resources young people have at home that support literacy and how this differs according to demographic background, and how home resources relate to reading enjoyment, attitudes and behaviour as well as reading attainment.
It also explores who in their family encourages young people to read, who in their family is seen reading and how frequently young people talk with their family about what they are reading. It also outlines how these differ according to demographic background, and how each of these relate to reading enjoyment, attitudes and behaviour as well as reading attainment.

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/assets/0000/4954/Young_People_s_Reading_2010.pdf

Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets http://www.readingrockets.org provides free newsletters aimed at parents to help their children become readers.
Though they may need adapting slightly for a New Zealand audience, they could provide a useful starting point of information to go in school newsletters or home to parents in other ways on a regular basis to keep the home reading practice thriving...

Here is this week's newsletter http://www.readingrockets.org/article/36295 and you can browse previous issues and subscribe for free to get an email link directly...

The Importance of Reading Widely
By Reading Rockets (2010)

It's easy to find yourself lugging home a stack of library books that your kids will love to listen to. It's harder to make sure you're bringing home a wide variety of books. But that may be just as important. Sharing lots of different kinds, or genre, of books with your young reader exposes them to different words, different pictures, and whole new worlds. Below are some genres to try with your reader that complement 'traditional' fiction. Some are suggestions that can be used as read alouds, other may be ones your child can read.

• Fantasy/Science Fiction
  From talking dogs to imaginary underground worlds, fantasy books contain elements that are not possible in real life. Cornelia Funke, J. K. Rowling and Lemony Snicket are all authors to consider within the fantasy genre.
  
• Historical Fiction
  Well written historical fiction helps past events come alive for children. With topics as wide ranging as pioneer life and ancient civilizations, books within this genre awaken the historian in any child.
  
• Biography
  Biographies have a way of inspiring kids. The best ones introduce famous presidents, inventors, educators and scientists in a way that helps kids identify with the person. David Adler has a series of biographies that are well loved by early elementary students.
  
• Informational Books
  What makes a volcano erupt? How tall is the tallest man? Where does the word pumpkin come from? Kids ask many questions, and reference books help them find the answers. When choosing reference books for your child, make sure they were recently written and seem to contain accurate information.
  
• Poetry
  Poetry just isn't as widely read as it should be. Several children's poets have collections that will make your child howl with laughter. Poetry is often shorter too, which makes the task of reading less overwhelming for new or reluctant readers. Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein are great authors to start with in this genre.
  

Whatever you choose to read with your child, make it an enjoyable experience. Have fun visiting that magical place, getting to know that famous person, finding the answers to questions, and reading with the rhythm of poetry.

Book Whisperer on home reading

One of my favourite bloggers is Donalyn Miller - her blog is called the Book Whisperer - (see previous posts in this blog).

Here is a link to a recent post about her letter to parents of students in her class on the importance of home reading...
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/book_whisperer/2010/01/dear_parents_at-home_reading.html

UK resources on involving fathers in children's reading

Though very UK focussed eg role of football/ soccer, Dad's Clubs etc, these resources may be of interest to spark ideas / discussion...

Getting the Blokes on Board
A downloadable resource from the UK Literacy Trust about involving fathers and male carers in reading with their children, aimed at professionals who work with parents rather than the parents themselves.

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/Blokes.html

Father's impact on their children's education and achievement
Children, both boys and girls, benefit enormously from their fathers' involvement in their learning and education. And what matters most is not how much time fathers spend with their children, but the quality of what they do when they are together.
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=12&cID=583

Children want "ordinary activities" with their dads
Britain's children want not expensive holidays, computers or bikes from their dads, but shared time playing football, chatting at bedtime, being helped with homework, "messing about", being cooked for, attending the mosque, going shopping.

http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=12&cID=78

Think Fathers "Dad test"
The free downloadable Think Fathers Dad Test is designed to help managers and practitioners start to assess how father-inclusive their service is, with ideas for small changes that can help meet the needs of mums, dads and children more effectively.
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=3&cID=922

Home -school reading partnership resource

The UK National Literacy Trust have produced a very useful Family Involvement Toolkit Reading Connects family involvement toolkit (pdf) to help schools reach out to families and encourage them to make their homes reading homes.
(To save a PDF, right click on the link, then select Save Target As and select a folder on your computer in which to save the document.)
The Reading Connects Family Involvement Toolkit was written following a cafe-style discussion conference in 2006 which brought together a wide range of experts in engaging parents and other family members with their children's reading. It was written for primary and secondary schools