Learning to read, and then being able to understand a wide range of literary texts, is probably the most important skill your child will master in primary school, and it's almost certainly something you'll be asked to support at home.
Build literacy and reading skills with brilliant reading resources
In this section of the site you'll find lots of advice and information for you to help your child learn to read, improve their reading, and experience a wide range of texts. From getting to grips with phonics (the learning-to-read method used in primary schools in the UK) to exploring a wide-range of texts, we've got all the tips you need. Find out about how reading is assessed and all about school reading schemes. Got a child with dyslexia? Discover tips to help dyslexic readers and overcome reading barriers.
Encourage your little bookworm by exploring lots of different types of text. We've got fantastic book suggestion lists for different ages, stages and interests, such as picture books, books about football, books for Harry Potter fans and more. And when your child is inevitable asked to write a book review, we can help with that too! Check out our book reviews activity pack.
For targeted practise of different reading skills and to improve your child's reading fluency, explore our teacher-created reading resources and activities, all following National Curriculum objectives. Download reading worksheets (all PDFs with answer sheets) on reading topics for your child's school year.
With all these resources at your fingertips, you can develop skills and foster a love of reading that will last your child a lifetime.
Articles
School reading schemes explained
Ask any parent of a Reception child about Biff, Chip and Kipper, and they'’ll know exactly who you'’re talking about. But just how do primary school reading schemes work, and how can you tell if your child is progressing at the right rate? Primary school reading schemes often use book bands to categorise reading materials. Book bands help determine the appropriate reading level for each child. Lucy Dimbylow puts these questions to the teachers who use reading schemes in the classroom.
How early readers can help your child love books
What do you do when your child is ready for more than school books, but not yet up to full novels? We explain how ‘early readers’ can fill the void. By Lucy Dimbylow.
19 unusual ways to encourage your child to read
Some children can’t wait to get home from school, throw themselves on the sofa and get lost in Hogwarts; others wouldn’t pick up a book unprompted if their games console depended on it. Lucy Dimbylow offers some unusual suggestions to get them reading – and enjoying it.
Worksheets
Choosing books to read
Borrow some books from the library or a friend, then choose your four favourites. Why did you like them best? Ask your mum, dad or another adult to be your scribe (write for you) and explain why you enjoyed them. Or why not set up a book club with your friends to discuss your book choices?
Blending sounds to read (Phase 3 phonics)
Cut out the pointy hand and use it to press each sound in the word. Once you’ve said each sound can you say all the sounds together to make the whole word?
Reading and drawing words using phonics knowledge (Phase 2 phonics)
Read the words and draw a picture showing what the word says.
Also see:
Help your child explore books and language with TheSchoolRun's Book reviews activity pack, a huge collection of reading comprehension and creative writing resources for Year 1 to Year 6.
Written by English teacher Sue McArdle, the Book reviews activity pack is filled with colourful templates, story starters and literacy-lovers' ideas to help Y1 to Y6 children explore texts and deepen their understanding of what they read.
Created by an early years education expert, the Engaging with English pack will provide you with lively and original ideas to help bring four popular children’s books vividly to life. Whether your child is in the EYFS or KS1 these activities are the perfect starting point for turning book-shy children into bookworms.
Books for every age, stage and interest
Whether they love fiction or non-fiction, short stories or sagas, poetry or prose, there's a world of books for your child to discover at the library and in bookshops. It can be hard to know where to start when you're choosing a great kids' book, so here are a few recommendations to add to your child's reading wish list.
And for specific ages and stages:
Best books for kids who know what they love to read:
And, of course, for seasons and events!
