Should you start to teach your child to read before they go to school?

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According to author, teacher and literacy specialist Katherine Bates, it is a great idea to get your child ready to read before they start school.

“If your children are showing signs of readiness, then why not give them a head start?” says Ms Bates. “One of the key areas is the attainment of early literacy skills in preschools and the early stages of primary school to avoid playing ‘catch up football’.”

In her new book to be released today, Help Your Child to Excel at Reading: An Essential Guide for Parents, Katherine Bates shares information about the latest methods for teaching literacy and links reading and writing strategies.

As a teacher with over 25 year’s experience, Ms Bates has seen what effective teaching can do to the lives of children.

“Parents also have a responsibility to help their children learn and excel in Literacy – most want to help,” says Ms Bates.

Ms Bates regularly presents training workshops for parents and has done so since she began teaching because parents’ support is a critical factor to their children’s levels of success. Katherine’s current role as a Senior Education Officer for the New South Wales Education Department keeps her at the cutting edge of leading Literacy and Numeracy teaching and assessment approaches.

“Mr Rudd announced that he will spend time talking with teachers. I decided to do something about these issues and I am very proud to announce the release of my publication during National Literacy week,” says Ms Bates.

Help Your Child to Excel at Reading: An Essential Guide for Parents by Katherine Bates is published in Australia by Rockpool Publishing, RRP $24.95 and is available at bookstores nationally and online at QBD The Bookshop.