Nurturing your child’s reading journey through primary
Two girls reading and smiling in a classroom
Our latest webinar, in partnership with BookTrust, explored the importance of stories, shared and independent reading and the many ways families can nurture reading enjoyment throughout the primary years. As part of the National Year of Reading, we’re celebrating reading in all its forms: alone, aloud and with others.
Let children choose what they read
One of the key messages from our discussion was the importance of giving children choice. When children choose books that reflect their interests, feel manageable and help them see themselves as readers, they are more likely to feel motivated and keep reading.
Help your child discover what they enjoy by exploring different genres, authors and formats together. Comics, joke books, poetry, graphic novels and audiobooks all count! Familiarity, confidence and recommendations from friends can also influence what children want to read, so finding the right book may take a little experimentation.
What if my child struggles with reading?
If your child finds reading challenging, try to make reading a positive experience rather than a source of pressure. Reading aloud together allows children to enjoy stories and encounter new vocabulary without having to decode every word themselves. Revisit favourite books, chat about characters and share a laugh over funny moments.
For children with dyslexia, accessible layouts, shorter chapters and books connected to their interests can help. Graphic novels, short stories and poetry offer rewarding reading experiences in manageable chunks. Audiobooks can also open up a world of stories while reducing the demands of independent reading. Work with your child’s school to ensure they receive appropriate support with developing their reading skills.
Are audiobooks as beneficial as physical books?
Absolutely! Both formats offer valuable experiences. Physical books encourage children to explore illustrations, revisit passages and engage with printed words. Audiobooks help children enjoy stories, encounter new language and develop their understanding of plots without the pressure of decoding text.
A mixture of formats can offer variety and flexibility. The important thing is to keep children engaged with stories while continuing to support their reading development.
When a book feels too long
If your child loves an author but feels overwhelmed by a long chapter book, try reading it together. Take turns reading pages, share the dialogue, or listen to the audiobook while following the text. Alternatively, shorter books can help build confidence before tackling longer stories.
For inspiration, try Kieran Larwood’s Dungeon Runners, Dotty Sutton’s Moth the Veggie Vampire or David Solomons’ Spyglass.
Keep stories at the heart of family life
Reading offers so much more than developing literacy skills. It can nurture empathy, spark creativity and support children’s mental wellbeing. Most importantly, it creates opportunities to connect.
There is no single right way to raise a reader. Keep exploring, sharing stories and celebrating your child’s choices.
Explore more with BookTrust: discover their Bookfinder, Great Books Guide and resources on reading enjoyment, dyslexia-friendly books and the wellbeing benefits of reading.
Did you know?
- 1 in 5 children (20%) read for fun daily. 7 in 10 parents (71%) report their children read for fun at least weekly
- Almost two thirds (64%) of children use their school library to borrow or read books at least monthly, and more than a third (38%) do so at least weekly
- Almost a quarter of children (23%) still read classical literature such as Dickens or Austen
- More than a quarter (28%) of parents have avoided reading with or to their children because they worry about their own reading ability. This includes almost a third (31%) of dads
- Secondary school pupils are much less likely to read for fun compared to primary school pupils. 87% of primary school pupils read at least weekly for fun, compared to just 61% of secondary pupils
- Children are more than twice as likely to watch Tik Tok, Instagram or YouTube, than they are to read for fun each day
*From Parentkind’s Reading For Fun — Parents’ Views 2026
