How to encourage a love of reading in your 0-5 year old!

How to encourage a love of reading in your 0–5 year old!

Reading aloud with your young child is a magical way to build a lifelong love of books and support their development. Just a few minutes each day can make a huge difference, creating precious moments of connection and discovery!

Your step-by-step guide

Here are some simple and fun ways to make reading a special part of your family’s routine:

• Read aloud daily

Dedicate a little time each day to share a story. A regular time, like just before bed, is comforting and reassuring and sets up a reading habit.

• Make it fun

Bring stories to life! Use silly voices for different characters, act out exciting scenes, and make funny sound effects.

• Let them choose

Giving your child the power to pick the book that you read to them makes them feel involved and excited about reading time.

• Make it interactive

Point to the pictures, ask questions like “What can you see?”, and encourage them to turn the pages or repeat fun words.

• Get close and cuddly

Snuggling up with a book creates a warm, secure, and happy experience that your child will cherish.

• Visit the library

Make regular trips to the library an exciting adventure to explore new books and join in with story time sessions.

Why it works: the magic of reading

Research shows that making reading a positive, shared experience is the best way to encourage a child to read for pleasure on their own!

• Boosts wellbeing

Reading together provides comfort and reassurance, helps reduce anxiety, and improves your child’s mood.

• Sparks imagination

Stories introduce new worlds and ideas, sparking creativity and encouraging your child to invent their own stories and games.

• Develops language skills

Sharing books introduces new words and sounds, helping to grow your child’s vocabulary and understanding.

• Builds reading readiness

Simply by sharing books, children start to recognize letters, follow words on a page, and build the confidence to try reading themselves!

What parents are saying

He definitely becomes more cuddly and affectionate when we’re reading together. He cuddles close or sits on my lap. It makes me feel more relaxed and happy.

Parent of a boy, age 3

My 4 year old used to say she can’t read, but she doesn’t say that anymore. She could only really recognise the first letter of her name but has started to ask questions about letters now.

Parent of a girl, age 4

Reading is making both me and my son (age 5) feel closer… We both get a mental pause and escape into whatever magical world we choose.

Parent of a boy, age 5