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The focus for our parent workshop this week was ‘What comes before reading’, led brilliantly by our AHT- Early Years, Mrs Taggart. At Doha College, we believe that the foundations of successful reading are laid long before a child opens their first book independently. Pre-reading skills, the early abilities children develop through play, conversation, and exploration, are essential building blocks that enable confident, fluent reading in the years ahead.
The focus for our parent workshop this week was ‘What comes before reading’, led brilliantly by our AHT- Early Years, Mrs Taggart. At Doha College, we believe that the foundations of successful reading are laid long before a child opens their first book independently. Pre-reading skills, the early abilities children develop through play, conversation, and exploration, are essential building blocks that enable confident, fluent reading in the years ahead.
Pre-reading is not about teaching children to read early, it is about nurturing the skills that make reading meaningful and enjoyable. One of the most important aspects is oral language development. When children engage in rich conversations, listen to stories, and express their thoughts, they build the vocabulary and comprehension skills that underpin future reading and writing success.
Another key area is phonological awareness. This is the ability to hear and recognise sounds in spoken language. Simple activities such as rhyming games, clapping out syllables, or identifying the initial sounds in familiar words help children tune into the patterns of language. These playful experiences make the transition to phonics more natural and intuitive.
Equally important are the physical and visual skills that prepare children for reading and writing. Fine motor development, such as manipulating toys, using crayons, or completing puzzles, strengthens the muscles needed for pencil control. Visual discrimination, spotting similarities and differences in shapes, letters or patterns, helps children make sense of the printed world around them.
At Doha College, our Early Years team places great emphasis on nurturing these skills through purposeful play and high-quality interactions. However, pre-reading development is most powerful when supported both at school and at home. Sharing stories, singing songs, talking about your day, and encouraging curiosity all enrich a child’s early literacy journey.
Most importantly, we want our children to love stories and to be excited at the prospect of learning to read.
Derek Watson
Senior Vice Principal - Head of Primary
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