Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.

Learning to read is about listening and understanding as well as working out print. Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a rich and wide vocabulary. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read.

Here are some top tips for parents:

Make books a part of family life – Always have books around at home. That way you and your children are ready to get reading, even if it’s only for ten minutes.

Read about something they’re interested in Help your child find the right book for them. It doesn't matter if it's fiction, poetry, comic books or non-fiction.

Set aside some time and find somewhere quiet without any distractions - turn off the TV, radio and electronic devices.

Join a local library and let your child try out different genres of reading material, as well as audio books.

Be a reading role model by making sure your child sees you reading. Show your child that books are an important part of life.