Why is reading so important?

Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.

In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.

What difference could I make as a parent?

The short answer is: a lot! Parents are by far the most important educators in a child’s life and it’s never too young for a child to start, even if you’re only reading with your child for a few minutes a day.

Before they're born, babies learn to recognize their parents' voices. Reading to your baby from the time they're born gives them the comfort of your voice and increases their exposure to language.

Building vocabulary and understanding

Learning to read is about listening and understanding as well as working out print. Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a rich and wide vocabulary. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read. It’s important for them to understand how stories work as well. Even if your child doesn’t understand every word, they’ll hear new sounds, words and phrases which they can then try out, copying what they have heard.

As children start to learn to read at school, you can play an important role in helping to keep them interested in books, finding out what interests them and helping them to find books that will be engaging and fun for them. Give time to helping them practise reading the books they will bring home from school.

Click on the video below to watch well-loved children’s authors Michaela Morgan and Christopher Edge talk through their tips on how to read with your child.

My child is too young to learn to read yet, but what can I do to set them off in the right direction?

Make sure that your child is familiar with language and books so that they can see how enjoyable reading is. Some of the things you can do include:

Reading aloud to your child, talking about the words and pictures, and sharing ideas about the book
Reading yourself: Children who see adults reading, and enjoying reading, are much more likely to want to read themselves
Making sure your child is surrounded by books: You don't need hundreds of books at home, but make regular trips to the library or bookshop, not just to borrow books but to spend time together browsing and learning to make choices. In this way, reading becomes a habit.

Most importantly, talk to your child. Spend time with them, doing simple activities (cooking, making something, building a model). As you talk about what you’re doing, you are helping them to learn new words. Later, when they see words written down, they have already heard them and know what they mean.

Top 10 tips to help children enjoy reading

To help make reading enjoyable and fun, we asked experts and authors what they recommend to help get kids reading.

Make books part of your family life – Always have books around so that you and your children are ready to read whenever there’s a chance.

Join your local library – Get your child a library card. You'll find the latest videogames, blu-rays and DVDs, plus tons and tons of fantastic books. Allow them to pick their own books, encouraging their own interests.

Match their interests - Help them find the right book - it doesn't matter if it's fiction, poetry, comic books or non-fiction.

All reading is good - Don’t discount non-fiction, comics, graphic novels, magazines and leaflets. Reading is reading and it is all good.

Get comfortable! - Snuggle up somewhere warm and cosy with your child, either in bed, on a beanbag or on the sofa, or make sure they have somewhere comfy when reading alone.

Ask questions - To keep them interested in the story, ask your child questions as you read such as, 'What do you think will happen next?' or ‘Where did we get to last night? Can you remember what had happened already?’

Read whenever you get the chance - Bring along a book or magazine for any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's surgery.

Read again and again - Encourage your child to re-read favourite books and poems. Re-reading helps to build up fluency and confidence.

Bedtime stories – Regularly read with your child or children at bedtime. It’s a great way to end the day and to spend valuable time with your child.

Rhyme and repetition - Books and poems which include rhyme and repetition are great for encouraging your child or children to join in and remember the words.