Created to Communicate

Reading is more than an academic skill. For Christians, language reflects the God in whose image we are made: the original Speaker and Author of all things, who communicates and reveals Himself through His Word. John’s Gospel begins, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1). The ability to read, write, speak and understand is an extraordinary gift that helps us know God, know one another and make meaning of His world.

Throughout history, teaching people to read has been closely connected with the desire to enlighten the mind. During the Reformation, literacy was strongly encouraged so ordinary people could read Scripture for themselves. Later, Enlightenment thinkers promoted education and reading as pathways to knowledge, reason and fuller participation in society. Across the centuries, literacy has continued to open doors that were previously closed.

“Reading becomes a doorway into science, history, mathematics, the arts and almost every other field of learning.”

That same principle is evident in our classrooms today. In Prep and Year 1, much of our work centres on learning to read. From there, students increasingly read to learn. As Dr Seuss famously wrote, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know.’ Reading becomes a doorway into science, history, mathematics, the arts and almost every other field of learning.

Research continues to reinforce its importance. Reading develops interconnected brain systems involved in language, attention, memory and meaning making. A large study of more than 10,000 young adolescents found that childhood reading for pleasure was associated with stronger cognitive performance, academic outcomes and brain development, as well as lower mental-health problem scores. Fiction reading can also strengthen empathy and our understanding of others. Together, these benefits support children as they develop self-awareness, self-regulation and healthy relationships.

Most importantly, reading gives us direct access to the Word of God. Scripture shapes our understanding of hope, love and faith, values at the heart of Emmanuel. When we teach a child to read well, we give them more than a school skill. We give them a lifelong means of learning, reflection, connection and truth.

Amanda Robertson - Head of Teaching and Learning