Get ready for reading

Learning to read can seem like a difficult task when children are starting school for the first time. With the right preparation, what could be a daunting activity can become a new adventure!



h3. 5 tips to help your child get ready for reading

When it comes to getting ready for reading, there are some simple – and really effective – things you can do before school starts to help learning to read. Try some of the ideas below during those weeks before school starts.

Don’t push anything if your child isn’t interested or ready – simply enjoy the reading a book together.

1. Explore how a book works. Hold it correctly, turn the pages, understand the words go from left to right, look at the cover and talk about what it shows.

2. Read as often as possible with your child. Introduce the title, point to the words in the book as you read with them.

3. Children need to develop their listening skills before they can begin to read. See if they can re-tell a familiar story in their own words, talk about the story as you read it and ask them questions about the pictures and the story.

4. Build awareness of Letters and Sounds. Start with your child’s name, read alphabet books and games, try rhyming books – children can build an idea of sounds, rhythm, repetition, syllables.

5. Let children see the value of reading. Let them see you using a recipe, reading a magazine, emails, and letters, following instructions, and so on.

And, most importantly of course, have fun!

Get ready for Phonics

Learning phonics and how to decode words is an important part of learning to read. Discover our brilliant selection of books to support learning at home, to help improve phonic and reading skills.


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Scholastic Book Bag Readers

Support your child from the start of their reading journey with Book Bag Readers, our new series of phonic stories. Each reader includes fun illustrations and supportive guidance notes for parents to help reading at home.

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Phonics readers

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Phonics workbooks

More phonics books

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More books for learning to read

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