Polly A’s story
After teaching for 25 years, I now work with parents, families and children to encourage and develop reading engagement at home. One of my main messages to parents is the importance of being positive role models for their children — to be seen reading, so that children learn that reading is a ‘normal’ and enjoyable pastime for everyone.
I decided to take this idea out into the community, and so I started the ‘Be Seen Reading’ initiative. The idea is simple: bring different sectors of local communities together by asking as many adults as possible to be seen reading wherever children gather — at popular tourist spots, sports grounds, local parks after school, etc.
The initiative has involved thousands of people at professional football matches or, as happened recently, approximately 100 people coming together for just an hour or so. Events have included a town crier, videos made by professional footballers, a personal message from author Tom Palmer, and Margate’s mayor reading stories on an open-top bus travelling through the town!
Recently, I asked three local schools to invite all their children, families and staff to a nearby park after school, bringing along their favourite books. The invitation included one proviso: all adults should be seen reading — anything of their choice. Children’s picture books are amongst my favourite things to read!
The response was wonderful. High school students also proved to be very positive role models for the younger children, especially when showing and talking about the books they had brought along. Book tokens donated by the schools’ PTA groups were given out, along with free books that I donated.
We also invited local church members, the town deputy mayor and NHS workers. A few passers-by joined us too, sitting with their dogs and simply enjoying some time reading.
I was particularly touched to see so many children reading with their families, as well as lots of adults reading on their own. It was lovely to see reading becoming something visible, shared and completely natural within the community.
“It’s been wonderful to have had the support from town councils, businesses, Chambers of Commerce, individuals who have given help with PR and photography, schools, bookshops, and local families. These events have taught me that adults really want to be good role models when it comes to their children’s reading, but they often want support with book recommendations, helping their children with learning to read and making it fun and engaging. And these are what our events are all about.”
Polly, Children Reading for Life, Worthing
The event was shared on local radio, social media and online press. Staff reported having positive discussions with the children about role models, reading and book choices. Comments from many of the adults were also so heart-warming. They really appreciated the idea behind role models and ‘Be Seen Reading’, and many enjoyed having the ‘excuse’ to sit and read for a while themselves!
Find out more about Be Seen Reading.
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