Home Reading Initiative

This advice, based on Beginning with Books by the Scottish Book Trust, is available in 10 languages and can be ordered online.

Books can be shared anywhere, while waiting for the doctor or during a long journey. Reading to a child at bedtime is a lovely way to end the day.

A drawing of a father and child sharing a book outside a waiting room.

Encourage children to:

ask questions such as 'What happens next?'
read different types of books
look for authors or illustrators they enjoy
turn pages carefully
make comparisons between stories which have been shared
join in with the story by repeating words and phrases
discuss a book's pictures.

Making books fun

Include a book in a child's toy box. Board, cloth and bath books are built to last!
Turn stories into games. 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' is an example of a story parents and children can act out and enjoy.

Reading with a baby

A drawing of a grandfather and child who are sitting sharing a book together.

Sit with the child on your knee or close by you and simply turn the pages of a book together. Take time to talk about the pictures. Along with your voice, pictures are the main way your child engages with the story.

Babies love being talked to and books offer lots of things to talk about.
Babies love books with flaps, rattles, and squashy or indestructible pages.
Toddlers will ask to have their favourite books read to them.
Babies enjoy nursery rhymes. Studies have shown that encouraging children to join in can help children's development.
Babies will need to be shown how to turn pages carefully. They can learn by watching others read.

Children's choices

The Scottish Book Trust's work has shown that the best story is one a child enjoys
Children will like different types of books, they can make surprising choices
There is sure to be a book to match each child's age or interest
Do not be afraid to stop reading if a child is not enjoying the book.

Allow children to choose books they are comfortable with. Some children choose demanding books. Others may select books written for a younger audience.

Do not worry about this as it can provide them with the confidence to move on. With support and encouragement children should return to more challenging books in their own time.

A drawing of a small child carrying a tall pile of books.

Things to avoid

Reading should be enjoyable and not a chore
Forcing children to read can turn them off books
Read another time if a child is tired, hungry, unhappy or not 'in the mood'
Do not try to rush children or worry that they are not reading at the 'right level'
The only reading age or level that matters is the one the child enjoys.

Find a balance between supporting development and pushing a child too hard.

Illustrations by Ali Scott, from 'Beginning with Books'.