Encouraging reading in school-aged children

Reading is a skill that will help your child well beyond their school years, and an important part of their health and well-being. 

Building the skills to learn how to read starts from birth. Once a child enters school, being able to read written text becomes very important. You can help your school-aged child develop strong reading skills, regardless of your own level of comfort, by following these tips: 

Read, speak, and sing to your child. Make storytelling a regular part of your day. If reading is difficult for you, tell stories from memory or make up your own. Sing songs that you know and ask your child to join in.  

Read with your child. As children learn to read, they need a lot of practice to make the connection between the letters on the page and the sounds that they make – this is called phonemic awareness. Having them read to you is a great way for them show you their new skills, and a way for you to recognize when they might need some extra help. 

Listen together. If reading is difficult for you or if you are not comfortable reading, you can listen to audiobooks together; many public libraries have audiobooks available to borrow. 

Be a reading role model. If your children see you enjoying books, magazines, or newspapers, they’ll learn that reading is important, fun, and a valuable skill. 

Visit the library. Even babies can get their own library cards. By making a library visit a regular part of your week, your child will be exposed to all sorts of different types of books. As a bonus, libraries frequently host free story-times and other kid-friendly activities. 

Ask for guidance. Librarians and teachers can recommend books for your child’s age and reading level.  

At the bottom of this page, under additional resources, we have included links to free websites than can help support your child’s phonemic awareness and literacy development. 

Recognizing challenges 

Every child learns to read at their own pace, but there are some signs they may need additional support. A paediatrician or family physician can help screen for reading difficulties and conditions such as dyslexia.  

Let your healthcare provider know if your school-aged child is: 

• Learning to speak more slowly or later than other children their age 
• Having trouble recognizing and identifying the letters of the alphabet
• Having trouble recognizing the letters in their name
• Having trouble knowing the sounds letters make (e.g., sounding out words, recognizing rhymes, knowing which spoken words start with the same sound) 
• Relying on pictures in a book to guess the words 

You should also call your healthcare provider if your child:

• is having trouble focusing and playing attention when reading or being read to
• is having trouble seeing or hearing well, or
• is becoming frustrated or depressed by their struggle to read.