Importance

Reading with your child or
encouraging them to read
independently can help them
develop language skills, a love
of books, communication skills,
listening skills, imagination and
curiosity.

Encouragement

Find a regular time for reading, so
your child can begin to expect it as
part of their routine. Encourage your
child to track their reading using a
weekly reading chart, this will help
them celebrate their progress. When
you can, try to make sure they see
you reading, or read with them, so
they know adults read too!

Interests

Let your child choose the books they
want to read. Following their interests
is the best way to keep them engaged
and make reading fun, which will
make them more likely to want to
read more.

Library

Create a love of books for your child
by joining your local library and
treat this as a day out. Encourage
them to choose their own books and
check out if the library has any story
sessions.

Involvement

Encourage your child to get involved
while reading, let them turn the
pages, skip pages, return to pages
and let them interrupt you – even if
it feels like they are getting off track.
Talking about the book helps them
make sense of what they are reading.

Story Telling

Using pictures to tell a story is a great
way for children to develop their
imagination. Ask your child to describe
the pictures they see, ask questions
about what the characters are doing
and why they might be doing it, and
see if they can guess what might
happen next. By the end of the book,
you may find they have created a
whole new and exciting tale!