Reading forms a central part of the English curriculum in the UK. Spelling, grammar, creative writing and comprehension skills are all improved when children are introduced to challenging literature at an early age. The importance of reading outside of school should not be underestimated. A British Cohort Study found a clear link between children who regularly read for fun and high achievers in education. They also found that reading at home contributed four times as much to intellectual progress than having a parent with a university degree.

Reading introduces children to new words, thereby having a positive impact on vocabulary. It also exposes them to new ideas, information and concepts, which develops critical thinking skills and the ability to make well-informed opinions. Surprisingly, the findings also indicate that reading at home can benefit a child’s mathematical progress. This is because many maths questions must be read and understood before the answer can be calculated.

I am a firm believer that making time for children to read independently, outside the classroom, is an essential part of ensuring that a child reaches their full academic potential. As well as helping to develop academic skills, discovering the joy of reading independently will ignite a child’s creativity and inspire a curiosity for the written word, which will bring them pleasure throughout the rest of their lives.