Encouraging children to read

Parents can encourage their children to read by following these tips:

»It's never too early to start sharing books with your baby

»Point to pictures in books and talk about them in your home language

»Let your child choose the book and turn the pages

»Stop before turning the page to give your child time to talk about the story

»It's Ok to read the same book over and over. Children love hearing the same stories

»Read to your child in their own language. Speaking and reading to your child in their home language will help them to learn English later

»Talk with your child while cleaning, cooking, watching TV and playing

»Talking, listening and looking are how we learn to read

»Talk with your child while shopping, waiting, walking and driving

»Sing together and say nursery rhymes

»Listen to your child's stories and questions

»Talking and reading to your child will help them do well at school.