When it comes to World Book Day, most kids love getting dressed up and having a blast with their mates at school as they pretend to be Spiderman, Mr Stink, Postman Pat or Angelina Ballerina. But what do you do if your child is a reluctant reader?
A love of reading is said to be more important for a child's educational success than their family’s socio-economic status, according to research shared by the Department for Education. However, studies suggest that the number of children reading for pleasure each day is falling.
The National Literacy Trust says that reading with your child helps to build their self-esteem and vocabulary, feeds their imagination and can even improve their sleeping patterns. And yet the trust says that less than half of toddlers and babies are read to every day by their parents.
Read more: World Book Day 2023 costume ideas and how to spend the voucher
Mum-of-two Kerry Beale works for reading charity Coram Beanstalk so she knows a thing or two about reading. We talked to her on the Brummie Mummies podcast about her top tips on how to help your child develop a lifelong love of reading. Listen here.
Lead by example
Kerry said: "Show them what you're reading. It doesn't have to be books, it can be newspapers, magazines, recipe books and more. It's showing them you enjoy reading."
Don't be afraid of your child reading the same book
She said: "Many kids, especially young children, love reading the same book over and over again. They like to get familiar with it. I've got two children and can read We're Going on a Bear Hunt off by heart. I've read it that many times!
"But they also find it funny when I say the wrong line, saying 'no that doesn't come yet!' It's about getting them really engaged with a book."
Talk about the pictures
"It doesn't have to always be about the words," she explained, "the pictures can often tell the story. And check their understanding with book-based games and discussion. Each time you look at the book try to extend the learning opportunities.
"Good picture books have a wonderful way of making the text interact with the illustrations – often the pictures hold hidden clues that enhance the story."
Read anywhere, anytime to anyone
"Don't just reserve reading for bedtime," she added, "you can read in the morning, or the afternoon, there's nothing better on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It doesn't have to be at the table or in bed. You can read outside or on the bus, wherever your child is comfortable.
"And read to anyone - not just to mum or dad! If you have a dog, why not read to the dog? The dog won't judge them if they get a word wrong! We're in a time where it's possible to read over video chat with gran, or an auntie in Australia, so why not dial them up and do that too?"
Read aloud to your child
"It doesn't matter if they are three or 13, they can then hear the story as a listener if you read aloud to them," she said, "they can hear how you use your voice and make the voices of the different characters. Don't just ask your child to read to you, read to them too. Even if you have an older child, don't be afraid to read to them."
Find out more top tips on reading, and how to become a reading volunteer, on the Coram Beanstalk website here and there are lots more reading tips on our Brummie Mummies Facebook page. Also check out our other podcasts on education and reading too. You can also sign up to our free Brummie Mummies newsletter to keep updated on World Book Day costumes, ideas and events.
The Brummie Mummies Podcast is a Laudable production, produced by Matt Millard, and new podcast episodes come out every fortnight. Please subscribe and tell your friends about the podcast too. Whatever book you choose, happy reading!
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Send us your World Book Day photos via our Brummie Mummies Facebook and Instagram pages or email them directly to zoe.chamberlain@reachplc.com - we'd love to see them and share them on our website and in the Birmingham Mail newspaper.
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