With Yalla’s desire to share the good news about the benefits of reading and the #UAEreads campaign we interviewed Amy Wilson-Smith Head of English at Brighton College Prep School to share her thoughts and suggestions.
Amy first tells us a bit about herself
Born in Scotland I was the youngest of three children. Reading became a cherished escape from a hectic household, homework and hockey playing. Now living in Abu Dhabi I enjoy reading about the past history, culture and customs of my new home in the Middle East and am currently reading Lawrence in Arabia by Scott Anderson.
And her favourite book as a child
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott ….then the rest of the series. Little Men, Good Wives, Jo’s Boys.
Amy’s tip for encouraging children to read
Don’t judge a book by its cover! Suggest to children they read the first two pages or chapter and then decide.
Amy’s must read booklist for children
- Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson
- Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine
- The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde
- The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit
- Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
- Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Tam o’ Shanter by Robert Burns
- The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally
- Good Behaviour by Molly Keane
And here are some recommended online resources for parents to encourage and help their children
For English language and really aimed at helping adults, there are benefits for middle and upper primary and lower secondary children too. It provides fact sheets, worksheets, quizzes and games in: grammar, spelling, reading, writing, listening and vocabulary.
Again for English language this site provides games and activities in: reading, writing, spelling and grammar for lower and middle primary.
Read Write Think Parent Resources
For primary and middle school aged children to age 12, this site has engaging ways to introduce children to reading or to encourage them to write and provides age-appropriate book suggestions and rainy day activities. The site is fun, educational, and easy to use outside of school. Published by the International Reading Association.
Aimed at primary aged children Woodlands provides activities and games in: words and spelling, grammar, punctuation and writing.
Do you have any tips or must reads to share – do let us know!
