We have put some resources and ideas together to help you and your child on their reading journey.

It is always helpful to remember that being a reader incorporates a number of skills. Children need to be able to read decodable words (using their phonics), recognise words that are not decodable (known as irregular words, common exception words or tricky words), understand what they are reading (comprehension) and be able to listen to stories, ask questions and enjoy them!

Free reading resources

Reading books independently

Playing games on-line that involve reading

On the websites below, there is a collection of comprehension and phonic activities that involve practising children’s reading skills.

Listening to stories

Although there are plenty of free resources on-line some parents prefer children to have their own copy of what they are reading. The links below are to resources you pay for.

Books to buy or subscribe to (reading resources)

Support for teaching phonics and key word recognition

Tips for reading - when listening to your child or reading together

• Encourage your child to recognise, recall and read those words that appear again and again. This will mean more words are read on sight which in turn increases fluency.
• When tackling longer unfamiliar words encourage your child to segment the words into their sounds (phonemes) and blend them to read. Sometimes looking at the picture may help decipher the word but please encourage your child to segment the word (if possible) using their phonic sounds first.
• Encourage your child to read their Tricky Words on sight - they're not decodable!

Reading the words is only one element of reading. Understanding what they are reading is just as important.

• Use the pictures and words and ask your child to predict what might happen next, how a character feels, how will the problem be solved. Questions like "Where did we get to?", "What do you think happens next?", "Why did they do that?" sends a message that you care about your child's opinion.

Older children might be interested in what you're reading yourself. It's very satisfying to pass on your childhood favourites and if you still have them, even sharing your own childhood copies!