1. Encouragement 

Encourage your child to read! Reading on a daily basis has a big impact on children of all ages. Reading helps your child’s well-being, develops imagination and has huge educational benefit as well.  

2. Regular reading

 Try to read to your child every day. It’s a special time to snuggle up and enjoy a story. Stories matter and children love re-reading them and poring over the pictures. Try adding funny voices to bring characters to life. Reading aloud also allows you to model reading fluency to your child. 

3. Encourage reading choice 

Give children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time - it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it up. 

4. Read together 

Choose a favourite time to read together as a family and enjoy it. This might be everyone reading the same book together, reading different things at the same time, or getting your children to read to each other. This time spent reading together can be relaxing for all. 

5. Create a comfortable environment 

Make a calm, comfortable place for your family to relax and read independently - or together. 

6. Make use of your local library 

We have a great library in Deal with a wonderful children's section. Local libraries also offer brilliant online materials, including audiobooks and e-books to borrow. See Libraries Connected for more digital library services and resources. 

7. Talk about books 

This is a great way to make connections, develop understanding and make reading even more enjoyable. Start by discussing the front cover and talking about what it reveals and suggests the book could be about. Then talk about what you’ve been reading and share ideas. You could discuss something that happened that surprised you, or something new that you found out. You could talk about how the book makes you feel and whether it reminds you of anything. There are some example questions in the reading comprehension section. 

8. Bring reading to life 

You could try cooking a recipe you’ve read together. Would you recommend it to a friend? Alternatively, play a game where you pretend to be the characters in a book, or discuss an interesting article you’ve read. 

9. Make reading active 

Play games that involve making connections between pictures, objects and words, such as reading about an object and finding similar things in your home. You could organise treasure hunts related to what you’re reading. Try creating your child’s very own book by using photos from your day and adding captions. 

10. Engage your child in reading in a way that suits them 

You know your child best and you’ll know the best times for your child to read. If they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) then short, creative activities may be the way to get them most interested. If English is an additional language, encourage reading in a child’s first language, as well as in English. What matters most is that they enjoy it.