It is important for parents to remember that reading at home serves a different purpose than reading at school. At school, reading often focuses on developing comprehension skills, analysing texts, and achieving academic goals. At home, however, reading should be about entertainment, creativity, and fostering a love for books. By creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment for reading at home, you can allow your child to explore stories in a way that feels fun and meaningful to them, complementing the structured learning they receive at school.
Encouraging a love for reading can sometimes be challenging, especially when children are reluctant to pick up a book. Below are some common questions from our parents and our answers to help make reading enjoyable and accessible for your child:
1. How do I know which book I should encourage my child to read?
Choose books that match your child’s interests and the pace at which they speak or think, as these are often the most enjoyable and relatable. Observe what topics or genres excite them—adventure, humour, mystery, or non-fiction—and use that as a guide.
2. Is it okay if my child only wants to read cartoons?
Yes! Comics and graphic novels are excellent tools for developing reading skills and fostering creativity. They use rich vocabulary, visual storytelling, and engaging formats to capture interest, especially for reluctant readers. Allow your child to explore their interests without judgment—what matters most is that they’re reading and enjoying the process. Over time, they may naturally branch out to other types of books.
3. What if my child chooses books that are too easy for them to read? Is that okay?
Absolutely. Reading "easy" books can help boost confidence and fluency, especially if your child finds joy in them. Gently encourage variety by suggesting books that challenge them slightly while still allowing them to enjoy familiar, easier texts. Some children prefer fiction, while others thrive on non-fiction. Remember, as long as they’re reading regularly, they’re growing their literacy skills and fostering a love for reading.
4. What should I do if my child does not want to read books in English/German?
Start with books in the language your child prefers to spark their interest. Building a habit of reading is the first step—begin with just 10 minutes a day and avoid making it feel like a chore or a prerequisite to doing something they enjoy. Once they’re comfortable, gradually introduce books in the other language. Dual-language books, translations of familiar stories, or topics they’re passionate about can serve as an effective bridge. Remember, it’s perfectly fine if their reading levels vary across languages—the more they read, the stronger they’ll become in both.
5. My child can't concentrate on reading a book. What should I do?
Shorten reading sessions into manageable chunks to prevent frustration. Choose engaging, fast-paced stories or books with shorter chapters. Audiobooks or interactive reading formats, such as illustrated books, can also help maintain focus. If your child reads aloud to you, pause occasionally to discuss the story. This fosters comprehension and keeps them actively engaged with the material.
6. Should I still read to my child, or should I tell them to read on their own?
Keep reading to your child, even as they grow older! It’s a wonderful way to bond, model fluent reading, and expose them to more advanced vocabulary. You can alternate roles by reading to them sometimes and having them read aloud to you. This not only builds confidence and independence but also creates shared moments that reinforce the joy of reading.
7. My child likes to engage in social activities. Reading isn’t social. How can I encourage them to read?
Make reading a social activity by incorporating it into family time. Create a family reading session where everyone reads their own book together in a shared space. You can also start a family book club, discussing a story you all read or listen to. Visiting libraries or bookstores as a family outing can also encourage social engagement around books.
By making reading a positive, pressure-free activity tailored to your child’s interests and needs, you can help them develop a lifelong love for books. With patience, encouragement, and a little creativity, reading can become a joyful and integral part of their daily life.
Nutritious snacks for school will keep your children energised and focused throughout the day. Try simple options like sliced fruit, veggie sticks with hummus or yoghurt with granola to provide a balanced mix of vitamins and protein. Wholemeal crackers with cheese or nut butter provide long-lasting energy, while mini sandwiches or wraps provide variety. Attractive, bite-sized portions make snacks particularly appealing. Avoid processed snacks by preparing fresh and healthy ingredients in advance that the kids will love!
What is not healthy?
Avoid snacks that are high in sugar or salt, such as chocolate bars, sweetened cereal bars, crisps or biscuits. These products often only provide short-term energy and quickly lead to a drop in performance. Ready-made products or snacks with artificial additives and flavourings are also not an ideal choice.
Fruit juices and fruit drinks that are marketed as ‘healthy’ often also fall into the category of unhealthy options. They often contain high levels of added sugar or fructose, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike and then drop quickly. Make sure you opt for 100% natural, unsweetened fruit juices or, even better, offer fresh fruit and water as alternatives.
At the end of November, our school hosted a captivating magic show featuring the talented Arthur Roscha. Arthur amazed us with his incredible tricks, leaving both students and staff in awe. What made the event truly special was his interactive approach—he invited students to participate, showing a few tricks along the way. Inspired by his performance, several students expressed interest in magic. As a result, we’re now planning a student magic show for our next assembly, where our young magicians can showcase their skills.
On Monday, 13 January 2025, we celebrated the exciting milestone of 100 days of school with a lively assembly and engaging creative activities. The event began with an impressive magic trick performed by Mr. Smith, with J. Byrne assisting to make the experience even more unforgettable. Afterward, students shared interesting facts about the number 100, such as its representation by the letter "C" in Roman numerals and that a century spans 100 years. They also took turns highlighting their personal achievements from the past 100 days, reflecting on their growth and successes. The celebration carried on in the classrooms, where students were encouraged to create projects inspired by the theme of "100," showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm.
Ora Melles
Schloss Wartenfels: Park at the base of the hill or take a bus to Dorfplatz in Lostorf, then walk through the castle to enter the beautiful Jura mountains. In summer, enjoy a snack at the castle's coffee house and occasionally an alpine horn performance.
Matthew Pope
My favourite place in Switzerland is a small town near Bellinzona in Ticino because of the sun, river, hiking opportunities, relaxed atmosphere, and pizza.
Manuela Maly
Scuol, Engiadina Bassa: Blauer Himmel, weisser Schnee oder bunte Wiesen, Arvenholzduft, Ornamente an traditionellen Häusern, beeindruckende Bartgeier, Vogelgezwitscher, das schönste Thermalbad, leckeres Essen und lustige Steinböcke.
Elisabeth Davies
Lucerne: It was the first place my grandparents visited outside of the UK together and I still have the photos they took in 1952. The old town viewed from the old bridge is one of my favourite things.
Nathalie Deiss
Die Jura-Bergkette: egal wie oft ich da wandern gehe, der Jura überrascht mich immer wieder mit wunderschönen Aussichten, geheimnisvollen Ecken und fast unberührten Plätzchen in der Natur. So nah und doch eine ganz andere Welt weit weg vom Stress des Alltags. Und natürlich immer im Hinterkopf: Vielleicht ist heute der Tag, an dem ich endlich einem Luchs oder Wolf begegne.
Julia Voller
Der historische Pfad in Murten, Fribourg: Dieser Pfad ist ein Rundgang und führt durch Schweizer Weinbaugebiete, vorbei an den Grotten von Lamberta, vorbei an einem ehemaligen Infanterie- Stützpunkt während der 2 grossen Kriege im 20. Jahrhundert und führt anschliessend durch eine Waldlandschaft bis zum Gipfel des Mont Vully, wo sich ein herrlicher Ausblick auf das Drei- Seen- Land, den Jura und die Alpen bietet. Weiter geht’s zum keltischen Oppidum, dann zum Sarrasin-Turm und dann durch die Weinberge wieder zurück zum Ausgangspunkt in Sugiez. Im Sommer kann man sich auch noch im See erfrischen. Für die Wanderung benötigt man ca. 4 Stunden.
Jamie Byrne
Lake Oeschinensee is my favourite place in Switzerland. It has beautiful scenery and during winter you can do an "ice walk" across the lake as it is frozen.
Monika Oehler
Mein bevorzugter Ort in der Schweiz heisst Baldegg in der Nähe von Baden im Kanton Aargau. Es hat eine wunderbare Sicht und oftmals sehr schöne Sonnenuntergänge. Man kann von dort in verschiedene Richtungen wandern, walken oder schöne Joggingrunden machen.
Claudia Burri
Panoramaweg Männlichen – Kleine Scheidegg in den Berner Alpen (Wengen oder Grindelwald): wunderschöne, einfache Wanderung mit wunderbarer Aussicht auf das beeindruckende Dreigestirn Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau. Im Sommer und auch im Winter atemberaubend schön!