Catch me reading

Reading with your child is great for developing their love of books and snuggling up with your child and their favourite book can be a special part of your routine.

How much does your child see you read though? Do they even realise how much reading adults do as part of their everyday life?

When we first become parents, something we quickly discover is how little time we have to do the things we used to take for granted. Reading for pleasure is one of the things which can go to the bottom of our list of priorities. Modelling reading can be a great way to teach your child what a love of reading looks like and how a book can take us on a journey away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.

At school, children often read sat at a desk but this isn’t usually how we as adults read a book, so let your child catch you reading. Take your child’s favourite book and your current read to the park with you and sit together both reading your own books. Turn off the television and snuggle up reading your book while they are playing. Lie next to your child in bed reading your book while they explore theirs. These short, shared moments may stay with your child and hopefully support them to become life-long book lovers.