Reading with your child is not about doing it “right”. It’s about having fun, being together, and sharing stories. When children enjoy books, they build skills that help them learn, grow, and feel confident.
They are a great way to introduce new words, colours, shapes, and different situations to your child.
You can talk in any language you want, change the story to suit you, put on funny voices or tell it how it is on the page.
Here are some easy, everyday ways to make books fun at home.
Children are more interested when they feel in charge.
📚 Reading the same book again and again helps children feel safe and confident.
You don’t have to read all the words.
🗣️ Talking about pictures builds language just as much as reading the story.
Books can be fun, noisy, and silly!
🎭 Children learn best through play – and books are a great way to play together.
Some days children want to sit and listen. Other days they want to move.
💛 There is no “wrong” way to share a book.
Reading before bed is a great way to build a bedtime routine, but it doesn’t have to be at bedtime only.
Try books:
⏰ Short, happy moments are better than long, stressful ones.
Your child learns best when they feel comfortable.
🌍 Using your strongest language helps children’s learning and confidence.
Even if your child can’t read words yet, they are learning.
⭐ This builds confidence and early reading skills.
Once your child has a love of books they will have their favourites that they will want read to, again and again …… but they will also want new ones. So bring them to your local library – thousands of books to choose from …for free!!
Libraries really are friendly places to go, and there is always a children’s area where nobody minds if your child makes noise or wants to look at lots of books.
Come and join Bradford Libraries with the Bookstart Bear Club. The Bookstart Bear Club is a fun and engaging free membership club for all babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Collect paw print stamps, certificates, free under 5's swim sessions and eventually your own Bookstart Bear.
Words for Life from the National Literacy Trust has been designed to provide parents, children and young people with activities and support to improve their language, literacy and communication skills from home.
The website has quick and easy tips and activities to discover new ways you could boost your child’s literacy skills while having fun chatting, playing and reading together.
Sign up to their newsletter which is packed with fun, free activities to complete with your children, as well as tips and advice. If your child is aged 0-5, there’s something for you!