Research shows that if a child learns to love reading they are much more likely to become a confident reader - that enthusiasm pushes them forward even when learning is tough.
Ideas to help develop a love reading include drawing, cooking, audiobooks and games linked to stories. Don't worry too much about what your child reads - follow their lead, help them find what they enjoy and then build on that. And remember to offer a variety of books for your child to try - fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, comics, joke books, puzzle books.
1. Our friends at the BookTrust have launched a brilliant website called HomeTime. You can hear Cressida Cowell reading her own How to Train a Dragon; read along with Hairy Maclary, join in the Roald Dahl quizzes, see how illustrator Ed Vere comes up with his drawings or find out how to make your own comic.
2. Want to give the kids something to help them relax that doesn't involve a screen? What about downloading for free a book from audible? There's lots to choose from and currently they are free. You can also find books in different languages.
3. The Literacy Trust has some excellent ideas on their family-zone page. They have helpfully divided their recommendations into different ages, so there should be something for all the family.
4. Are you catching up with friends and family over Facetime, Zoom or Skype? How about sharing a story together. Grandparents might really enjoy having a regular time slot where they get to read their grandchildren a story?
5. Books for Topics have produced a list of recommended online storytimes for all ages, all read by the authors - Books for Topics list and the Open University Reading for Pleasure team have picked out their Top Ten Storytimes which you can find here.
6. The website www.lovemybooks.co.uk has lots of great recommendations for books to enjoy with children of all ages, books on a variety of different topics, book related craft activites and information on reading skills.
7. You could use this downloadable Summer Reading Adventure Map from the Open University as inspiration to try some different types of reading - find the map here.
