Take first steps towards reading

1. 1

   Enjoy a book together

   A good place to start when

   Your child will look at a picture or listen to a short phrase with you.

   Try it together

   Let your child choose a page. Name something they show you, then say a little more. ‘A dog. The dog is asleep.’ Read another page only if they want one.

   Try the next step when

   Your child returns to a favourite picture, points something out or joins in with a familiar phrase.

   Next step →
2. 2

   Spot a familiar letter

   A good place to start when

   Your child notices a mark or symbol you point out in a favourite book or on a sign.

   Try it together

   Pick one familiar letter, perhaps the first in their name. Draw it big, then look for it on a book cover. The optional First letters game practises the names of A, O, P and T.

   Look for this in everyday play

   Your child spots the same letter somewhere new, even if they don’t say its name.

   Play online →Read the illustrated guide →Next step →
3. 3

   Listen for the first sound

   A good place to start when

   Your child enjoys repeating a short word or joining in with a familiar rhyme. They can try this before recognising letters.

   Try it together

   Say ‘sun’ slowly and stretch its first sound, /s/. Offer ‘sock’ and ‘moon’ and listen together for the one that starts like ‘sun’. Try with familiar spoken words and leave the page closed.

   Look for this in everyday play

   Your child notices when two familiar words start with the same sound during a playful conversation.

   Read the illustrated guide →

More about learning through everyday play ↗