Enjoy the journey

Helping Hand

Not all children pick up reading simply, which is why charities like ABC to read in Berkshire exist

It's believed that one in eight children leave primary school unable to read well. ABC to read are working to change that. They train and support volunteers so that they can be placed with a local primary school and confidently work with children as reading mentors to develop their skills, build up confidence and encourage a love of reading.

In relaxed one to one sessions, volunteers read, talk and play games, gradually building up the child's confidence and practising the skills they are learning in class. Volunteers use ABC provided resources focused around the interests of the children to help them to develop a love of books and focus on praise and encouragement of what they can do and when they've tried hard. It is their goal that every child leaves every session with a feeling of success and looks forward to their next session.

What do they look for in a volunteer? It is important that volunteers have the following qualities: they must be literate, love reading, are able to easily relate to children, be a clear communicator, good listeners and understand they have a responsibility for safeguarding. ABC to read are looking to recruit new volunteers and looking to partner with more Berkshire schools to help raise literacy attainment by o ering workshops and 1-1 support. Find out more at abctoread.org.uk, or by emailing info@abctoread.org.uk or calling 0118 951 1336

Good Habits Start Early

All this reading is great, but it also means we need to keep an eye on our children’s posture. Step forward local business, Back in Action…

There’s an old adage: “Prevention is better than cure”. It’s true for all of us – and applies more the earlier you start. Children are blank canvases, and there is so much that parents can do to protect young spines. It’s not possible to stop them sitting for hours on end – it’s a pre-requisite of school, homework and television – but preserve vitality, movement and spinal health.

When observing children sitting, often we’ll see them ‘perched’ on the edge of a seat with their knees below their hips. This is intuitive, comes naturally and we believe passionately that this sitting position should be encouraged. Back in Action have spent many years working with children and scouring the world for the best methods and chairs to keep their own children, and their customers' children, healthy. The Varier Variable is Back in Action’s bestselling kneeling chair. It’s a beautiful chair and a good investment for a life of healthy sitting. backinaction.co.uk