There is no fixed reading duration for every child. A short daily session of around 15–20 minutes can be a useful starting point, depending on the child's age, attention span and reading ability. Younger children may benefit from shorter shared-reading sessions, while older children may enjoy reading independently for longer.

Reading exposes children to new words, ideas, stories and experiences. It can support vocabulary development, language skills, imagination, comprehension and independent thinking. Stories can also help children explore emotions, relationships and different perspectives.

Begin with subjects and formats your child already enjoys. Comics, picture books, animal stories, sports books, joke books and illustrated non-fiction can all be good starting points. Allow children to choose their reading material, read together and avoid making reading feel like a punishment or compulsory test.

Parents can begin sharing picture books and simple stories with children from infancy. At this stage, looking at pictures, listening to a parent's voice and enjoying familiar stories are valuable experiences. As children grow, shared reading can gradually develop into recognising words and reading independently.

Yes. Reading before bedtime can become a calming part of a child's evening routine. A familiar story gives parents and children time to connect and provides a screen-free activity before sleep. Choose age-appropriate books and keep the routine relaxed and enjoyable.

Regular reading gives children opportunities to build vocabulary, understand written information and become more familiar with language. These skills can support learning across subjects because children encounter instructions, explanations, questions and new ideas through reading. Reading habits complement classroom learning but develop at different rates for different children.

Schools can encourage reading through classroom libraries, storytelling sessions, book discussions, reading corners and opportunities for students to explore books based on their interests. When teachers model reading and make books part of everyday learning, children can begin to see reading as an enjoyable activity rather than only an academic task.