Newsletter #06

Reading to children pays off in a number of important areas (2). Children who are read to...

• can visualize more clearly.

• demonstrate stronger comprehension of stories.

• grow their vocabulary, setting them up with a knowledge base that supports in-school learning.

• develop greater phonemic awareness.

• show more control over and ability to articulate their emotions.

Reading together at home brings families closer together, and at the same time it paints the experience of reading with the warmth and intimacy of time spent with loved ones. Reading time at home with a caregiver can be a huge support in helping your child figure out what kind of reader he or she wants to become. One way to intentionally deepen this support is to read aloud texts with varying tones - some funny, some more serious - by a variety of authors and featuring characters with diverse backgrounds and contexts. (3) 

One of the important aspects to consider when reading with your child is to be thoughtful about the emotional context that permeates this activity: this experience must be first pleasant for the child and for the parent. Some studies have shown that when the reading experiences between a parent and child are tinged with affection, the benefit of this experience is higher. Below, we propose a few strategies to generate interest and children's engagement in order to make the experience more profitable, but also more enjoyable for the child and the parent (1):

• Establish a daily routine: A predictable and repetitive structure for reading activities helps provide a safe environment for the child. A first aspect of the routine that must be considered is the time and place. Of course, reading with the child can happen spontaneously several times a day, but reserving a specific time ensures that reading with him/her will be held at least once a day.

• Often reread your child's favorite books: Children love to hear stories that are familiar. Moreover, this practice allows the parent to direct the child's attention to different aspects of the book each time he or she re-reads it.

• Make connections between new language from a book and the child's language: You can talk about new words, and also make a point to keep using those words at home. Children’s literature is full of rare, gorgeous words and phrases that most of us wouldn’t use in everyday life. Once you learn that Amos the mouse is “full of enterprise” as he starts his sea voyage (Amos and Boris, by William Steig) , you can ask your child “Are you full of enterprise today?” as they get ready for school. 

• Be attentive to signals that the child gives: Assess the child's level of understanding and commitment to the reading task in order to adjust the reading experience so that is stays meaningful. If a longer read aloud is becoming a drag, you might mix it up by listening to an Audible version, or if it’s really not going well, don’t be afraid to drop it.

• Analyzing the writing code: Research has demonstrated that analyzing the language (alphabet, the concept of word, conventions of writing, etc.) while reading with your child increases the reader’s literacy.

• Read a variety of texts: Research has also demonstrated that exposing children to a variety of texts allows them not only to discover their preferences, but also to transfer reading skills across different contexts, thereby strengthening them. So in addition to keeping favorites in the rotation, be sure to add new books frequently.

Our new Homework Policy encourages students to read every day: "reading alone, reading aloud, reading to parents, parents reading to children, reading to learn, reading to laugh, reading to feel, reading to share, etc…". We also encourage parents who want to extend their child's learning experience to have a look at our Pre-K to J4 Suggested Activities. The emotional and cognitive benefits of learning with your child can happen in other domains as well! Links to the Suggested Activities for each JS grade can be found below.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal

Susan Scullin, Junior School Principal Assistant

Audra Robb, PreK-8 Literacy/Humanity Curriculum Specialist

1. Le plaisir de lire avec son enfant : un enjeu déterminant pour une pratique de littératie familiale aux multiples facettes, Anne-Marie Dionne, Faculté d’éducation, Université d’Ottawa, Canada, 2013

2. Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive, Deborah Farmer Kris, PBS for Parents, May 15, 2018

3. Why it’s important to read aloud with your kids, and how to make it count, Amy Joyce, The Washington Post, February 16, 2017

October 10th is Photo Day - Probably one of the cutest days in Junior School! We are looking for volunteers to groom children before camera! Also we need people to usher class by class to make the transition smoothly. There's no guarantee to work with your child's class, but you might get a peek of your child posing. But, really, every JS student is particularly adorable this day and will make you smile.

Please indicate the time you could help. See you soon!

JS PA Team

Everyone had a blast last year at The Junior School Talent Show. The fun event can return on December 14th – if we make it happen together! Your child wants to be part of the show? Please consider volunteering. We will need many people to help! 

Let us know if you are in by signing the volunteer form or email us: nadine.lemm@pa.unis.org or denise.debono@pa.unis.org

UNIS invites you to our 7th Annual Cardboard Challenge. This is a family event that takes place on the UNIS campus on Saturday morning, October 5th from 10am-1pm.

Please talk with your kids and help them to think about ways they might incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into their cardboard creations as:

• garbage trucks for picking up recycling

• solar panels that power their homes, computers, etc

• electric cars

• garbage eating robots

• recycling stations and signs

• and many more ideas!

Registration for the event is open for all UNIS Students!

This exciting day of building and design using recycled materials yields wonderful creations, brings the imagination to life and spurs collaboration and teamwork.

Please join us for loads of fun!

The event is free but space is limited to 250 people. Please, use the registration form below and be prepared to have 1:2 adult:child ratio.

 We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 5th!