Celebrating World Book Day at Aurora Schools
Last week, our schools celebrated World Book Day. The school corridors were buzzing with excitement as pupils, teachers and staff took on the challenge to bring their favourite book characters to life.
The benefits of reading for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are far-reaching. Events like World Book Day are a perfect way to emphasise the importance of literature in a child's life. Reading not only enhances language and cognitive skills but also fosters creativity, empathy, and a love for learning. It opens doors to new worlds and sparks the imagination.
“We wanted to do something to reposition reading and our message is the same today as it was then – that reading is fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has the power to transform lives.” Gail Rebuck, World Book Day Founder
One of the highlights of the day was seeing the creativity shown by our students. From the iconic scar on Harry Potter's forehead to the whimsical characters from Alice in Wonderland, and the elusive Where's Wally.
World Book Day throughout our schools was a huge success, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in the pages of a good book!
Here are five ways to support and encourage reading for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND):
Choose books with colourful illustrations
Vibrant illustrations not only make reading more engaging but also help to give context and understanding. Images are a useful tool for comprehension, particularly for visual learners.
Align books with your child’s interests
Whether animals or space, unicorns or superheroes, finding books that align with your child’s passion can make the reading experience more enjoyable.
Share the experience
Alternating reading with your child allows them to take pauses in reading as well as mimic your tone and expressions. Sharing the experience can turn reading into an engaging and bonding experience.
Give lots of praise
Acknowledging the learning process and celebrating achievements helps build confidence and a love for reading. Your encouragement can help your child to persist and overcome challenges.
Relax and enjoy together
Creating a relaxed environment can help to instil a love for books in a stress-free environment. Consider creating a cosy corner in a room with special cushions and soft toys, making reading books a comforting activity.
World Book Day was created by UNESCO on 23rd April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The first World Book Day in the UK and Ireland took place in 1997 to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading.
