Resources to support reading at home
There are lots of great ways to support young children at home when they are learning to read. Explore these resources to understand how children develop reading skills, and discover fun activities that will reinforce what they are learning in the classroom.
Reading awareness check
The reading awareness check is a simple observation checklist that families can do at home. The check has been made so families can get a sense of how their Year 1 child is developing in learning to read in English.
The awareness check lists some of the skills you might see your Year 1 child doing at home. If you are concerned about your child’s progress in reading, you might like to discuss the check with your child’s classroom teacher.
The child’s classroom teacher is best placed to advise on how to support the development of literacy skills at home. Teachers will be able to draw on a range of resources from the Literacy Hub that will reinforce learning that is underway in the classroom.
Follow-up strategies
- Access Helping young children to read – What parents can do – a great resource for families.
- Make time to read every day with your child.
- Share the pleasure in stories through sites such as Storyline Online.
- Provide varied reading material — some for reading pleasure and some with information about your child’s hobbies and interests.
![](/media/j5dpty2r/esa_literacyportal_12-06-20_fullresolution-137.jpg)
Featured resources
Search all resourcesLiteracy toolkit
Filter and find great information, advice and activities to support your child's...
Show moreGuide: How to build your child's literacy skills from birth to Year 2
Comprehensive guide to developing a range of literacy skills from birth to Year ...
Show moreLiteracy apps
List of recommended apps to support all students and those with learning difficu...
Show moreDialogic reading: An effective way to read aloud with young children
Proven strategies on how to encourage conversation around books.
Show moreLittle People's Literacy Learning: A guide for engaging parents and carers: Reading
A short guide offering tips for encouraging reading development in children.
Show moreOral language development
This video discusses links between oral language skills and literacy development...
Show moreShared reading
This video contains a modelled example of shared reading including the types of ...
Show moreParent resources from the Five from Five alliance
The foundations of literacy begin to develop in the early years of life.
Show more