This page is designed to support your reading at home with your children. Reading to and with children is one of the most beneficial activities you can do to support your child's learning.

1. Children who read often and widely get better at it.

After all, practise makes perfect in almost everything humans do, and reading in no different.

2. Reading exercises our brain.

Reading is a much more complex task for the human brain rather than watching TV, for example. Reading strengthens brains connections and builds NEW connections.

3. Reading improves concentration.

Children have to sit still and quietly so that they can focus on the story when they are reading. If the read often, they will develop the skill to do this for longer.

4. Reading teaches children about the world around them.

Through reading a variety of books children learn about people, places, and events outside of their own experience.

5. Reading improves vocabulary and language skills.

Children learn new words as they read. Subconsciously, they absorb information on how to structure sentences and how to use words and other language features effectively in their writing and speaking.

6. Reading develops a child's imagination.

As we read our brains translate the descriptions we read of people, places and things into pictures. While we are engaged in a story we are also imagining how a character is feeling. Young children then bring this knowledge into their everyday play.

7. Reading helps children to develop empathy.

As children develop they begin to imagine how they would feel in that situation.

8. Reading is a fun.

A book or an e-reader doesn't take up much space and is light to carry, so you take it anywhere so you can never be bored if you have a book in your bag.

9. Reading is a great way to spend time together.

Reading together on the sofa, bedtimes stories and visiting the library are just some ways of spending time together.

10. Children how read achieve better in school.

Reading promotes achievement in all subjects, not just English. Children who are good readers tend to achieve better across the curriculum.

• Words for Life
  Free resources and ideas to support learning and also make it fun

• Reading With Children - BBC
  Reading with children - Ways to help children enjoy reading.

David Walliams on getting children to read BBC News

Children's author and actor David Walliams is backing a government campaign to get more children reading. The author of popular books such as The Boy in the Dress and Mr Stink said many children got behind with their reading, which could affect their every day life.

Why we should all be reading aloud to children | Rebecca Bellingham |

Why should we keep reading aloud to kids even when they can already "read on their own?" This talk demonstrates the magic of read aloud and reminds us all why reading aloud is so essential - at school and at home. This talk is for parents and teachers who want to teach comprehension and connect with kids in powerful ways.