Puffin Books Australia

How can I help my children learn to read?

One of the biggest factors in learning to read is practice. Practice reading with your child by reading to them and getting them to read to you.

Getting your child to read out loud to you will also mean that you’re the first to know when they hit any stumbling blocks or tricky words and you can address the issue immediately.

How else can I help my children with reading at home?

Lead by example. Encourage an overall love of reading in your child by showing that it is something that is important to you. Spend some of your spare time reading to associate it with relaxing.

Talk books. Talk about why you love what you’re reading. Encourage them to talk to you about the things they like. And make sure that they know they can come to you for advice if they’re struggling.

How can I find the right books for my child to read?

Check publishers’ websites for new releases and newsletters that you can sign up to, plus reviews, book lists and other suggestions for fantastic books for your child. Start reading blogs.

Ask your local bookseller or librarian – that’s what they’re there for!

Should I still be reading to my children every night when they can read for themselves?

Reading together will help your child learn to read on their own. If a child is engaged with the story that you’re reading them (and they should be) then they will want to learn to read so that they can explore books more often and at their own pace.

If you want to make sure that your child is still developing their reading skills, read to them in exchange for them reading to you. A chapter of a more difficult book can be traded for a chapter of one of their readers to keep them motivated and inspired.

Even if your child can read aloud, you can read them books that are more advanced that the level that they are reading at, which will be a constant encouragement to extend their reading.

My child used to enjoy reading but has now gone off it, what can I do to get him/her interested in books again?

Make it fun again!

Most kids who stop reading have aren’t finding it fun anymore. As kids grow up, their tastes change, and so does the amount of time they have to spend reading. So to keep them reading, make sure that it is still fun by supporting their reading choices. At the end of the day, your child will be a better reader if they chose to read the latest action novel than if they give up reading altogether.

What activities are there to encourage my child’s love of reading?

If your child is already a good reader and you want to make sure that their enthusiasm doesn’t wane, find new ways for them to connect with the books that they love.

Authors are often touring, or at least getting fan mail – and you can generally find out this information on the author’s or publisher’s website.

Check out children’s book festivals that are happening in your area – there are more than you think!

Read the book? Watch the movie. It’s a surprisingly good way to be able to talk about a book or story that your child already loves.

Should my child be reading by a certain age?

Every child is going to develop their reading skills at a different age. All readers (even adult ones) are at different levels of experience.

If you’re really concerned that your child can’t read by a particular age, talk to their teachers to see if their difficulty carries through into their schoolwork. If not, it might be a sign that they’re not enjoying it. As always, talking about it, and finding the reasons behind their reluctance or inability to read is the best way to address the issue.

Is the internet a safe way for my child to find out about books?

It is difficult to say without question that the internet is ever 100% safe. But there are certainly ways that you can approach the internet with caution in regards to books and reading.

1. Go to a valid and authorised site. Be it an author site, blog or publishers webpage – make sure it’s legitimate.
2. If you want to limit the amount of time your child spends online, sign up to newsletters and mailing lists on websites you trust. That way they can still access the information but it will be delivered to the safety of your email!
3. Encourage your school to set up a blog. That way kids can respond creatively to books in an environment that is monitored by people you trust.

My child is an advanced reader. What if they’re reading books that are inappropriate?

That’s tricky, and there are two real options here. The first is to censor what your child is reading and try to prevent them from reading anything that you feel is inappropriate.

The second is to be aware of what your child is reading, and if they are starting to read books that are introducing more developed themes and issues, talk to them. As long as they are aware of the context that the issues are raised in, in is probably far better to discover things through a good book than schoolyard gossip!

Do I have to buy all the books that my child wants?

Of course not! Put in recommendations to your school and library for books that your child wants to read, and go on the waiting list to borrow books first.

Having said this, there is nothing like owning your very own copy, so buy the special books, or the series that is an absolute favourite. Or ask for books for birthday and Christmas gifts. Even better, ask for book vouchers. That way your child gets a book, and you know that it will be one they love.

Are there lists of recommended books for certain ages?

Yes. Most publishers break their booklists up into recommended reading ages. Ultimately the decision will be made by yourself and your child, depending on how good a reader they are, but these age groups will give you a good starting point. You can also sign up to newsletters like Squawk! which will keep you up to date with age appropriate new releases.

A lot of independent bookshops will also put out reading guides with a children’s section, and most will include recommended ages for the titles.

Finally, if you’re struggling, just ask! Most people in the book industry love feedback from enthusiastic readers. Ask your librarian, bookseller, or even email your favourite author.