Children have to be taught to read and write by adults. These skills take years to learn. Some children learn more quickly than others, but they all make better progress when the learning process is an enjoyable experience.

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Parents and carers have an extremely important part to play in preparing children for the early stages of reading. Learning to read is made so much easier if children:
» have had stories read to them
» have had the chance to talk about stories, pictures and what happens
» know some nursery rhymes
» know that books are fun.

BOOKS FOR BABIES
From the age of about 9 months, or even earlier, children begin to enjoy books when they share the activity with an enthusiastic adult. They soon learn to:

• hold the book the right way up
• point to pictures
• listen attentively
• help to turn the pages

• looking at pictures with his mum
• recognising objects
• talking about what is seen
• having his questions answered

LEARNING TO READ

Each child learns to read at his or her own speed. Starting to learn may be left until the child attends school at the age of 5, or the child may be ready to begin earlier. It is important for parents to encourage a young child's natural interest and ability without trying to force the pace. If a child is made to learn too soon, reading will not be an enjoyable experience, and the child may resist learning and begin to fail. Learning to read involves learning:

« to recognise letters and link them with sounds (A)
« that groups of letters or sounds make words that have meanings (B)
« that strings of words make phrases or sentences that have meanings (C).

Parents can encourage a child to follow the words as stories are being read out loud, and to begin to say the words at the same time as the reader. Gradually the child will learn to recognise words and even phrases, gaining clues from the context of the story and from pictures.

The child should be praised and encouraged, and not corrected every time a mistake is made. It is essential that the child does not get frustrated and lose interest.
When the child goes to school, a large part of each day will be concerned with reading and writing for several years, because the child has many essential skills to lear