Children can enjoy sharing a story with you from when they’re babies till when they’re teenagers. Some general hints and tips are below, and you can look at hints for different age groups by clicking on the links further down the page.

• Make it fun. Neither of you will enjoy reading if it’s boring or too hard. Use a book your child enjoys, and don’t make it into a lesson. Do actions and character voices to bring the book to life, and stop if your child gets bored.
• Make it special. Give your child your full attention, take your time, and ask them what they think. Enjoy chatting about the story as well as reading the story itself, and take time to look at any pictures.
• Enjoy yourself. Story time can be a magic time – just the two of you relaxing together. Even if you feel a bit silly at first reading out loud or using funny voices, your child will love it!
• Don’t force it. If your child really really doesn’t want to read with you at that particular time, just try again later. Forcing them to do it will make it much less fun for both of you.
• Let them choose. Your child is more likely to enjoy a book that they have chosen. Even if it’s the same book you read yesterday, and the day before (and the day before that), if it’s what your child would like, go with it.
• Try the library. Borrowing books is free at your local library. If your child doesn’t like a book, you’ve not wasted any money – just take it back and try a different one. Librarians will be able to advise you about books that are suitable for your child.

There are lots of organisations and websites that can advise you about reading with your child. One of our partners, the National Literacy Trust, has a number of information sheets about reading with children of different ages. Click on the links below to access them.

Under 5s:
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/Sharebooks.pdf
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/preschool.html
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/pre_school.pdf

Primary age:
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/primary.html
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/5to7.pdf
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/7to11.pdf

Older children:
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/olderchildren.html http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/familyreading/parents/11to16.pdf