On 16 June, children all around the country – in nurseries, in schools and at home - will spend the day reading and sharing stories with each other.
Pyjamarama is one of BookTrust’s programmes that raises money for children who do not have access to books or reading early on in their lives. The money raised goes into resources and campaigns to bridge the reading gap and give every child the same opportunity to love reading.
Children are encouraged to wear their pyjamas to school and to bring their favourite books to share with other children as well as being read to by teachers. The idea is to promote an essential skill with fun and inclusive activities.
Our Lady Queen Of Peace Catholic Primary School in Worcester has seen great success in boosting reading engagement through the activities provided by BookTrust’s Pyjamarama.
Mr Pocknell, reading lead at the school, shared how his ambitions to create a ‘culture of reading for pleasure’ has been achieved and maintained, with the programme providing the ‘perfect piece of the reading puzzle to pull everything together’.
The primary school has just over 200 pupils, who all take part in the celebrations, with older children reading to younger children, through a buddy system. Teachers also rotate around different classrooms to read stories to the children, and this is something that is continued throughout the year.
‘We have developed ongoing strategies and approaches to support reading in our school as a result of Pyjamarama,’ the head teacher said.
He also shared how the week allows teachers to get a greater insight into the types of books that children are enjoying to ensure that recommendations and class reads are engaging for as many pupils are possible. It also means that 'a lot of boxes can be ticked, without feeling artificial or like it has been shoehorned in'.
Pocknell added, ‘The children really look forward to Pyjamarama not only because they get to dress up in their PJs, but because it is an opportunity for them to share their own stories that they love, and to read with their peers, as well as listen to other teachers read.'
- For more information about BookTrust’s Pyjamarama, and to sign up for this year’s programme, click here.