There is an easy way to improve your child's chances at school. It will entertain and delight him. It will strengthen the bonds between him and you. And it is virtually free.

Sound too good to be true? Actually, it isn't. The magical method: taking time to read aloud to your child.

Read to your child every day for at least 20 minutes in any language.

In an era of high-stakes testing and education reforms and revolutions, research has repeatedly proved that one simple parenting technique is among the most effective. Children who are read aloud to by parents get a head start in language and literacy skills and go to school better prepared.

"Reading aloud to young children, particularly in an engaging manner, promotes emerging literacy and language development and supports the relationship between child and parent," concluded a 2008 review in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

In other words, reading that bedtime story may not only entertain and soothe Johnny, it may also develop his vocabulary, improve his ability to learn to read, and - perhaps most important - foster a lifelong love of books and reading.

A child’s early years are critical in shaping their development and lifelong learning potential. However, if a young child struggles with reading, they risk falling behind and may never catch up. In fact, if children don’t get the help they need to learn to read, then the gaps between struggling and strong readers widen and worsen as they grow.

Poet and author Emilie Buchwald wrote, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”

Children who were read to at least three times a week by a family member were almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who were read to less than 3 times a week. Denton, Kristen and Gerry West, Children’s Reading and Mathematics Achievement in Kindergarten and First Grade (PDF file), U.S. Department of Education, NCES, Washington, DC, 2002.

Poet and author Emilie Buchwald wrote, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”

Make reading enjoyable for your child!

Children's brain development depends on rich-language interactions !

Language nutrition is essential for brain development and human learning!

Language nutrition leads to sustained reading capacity and academic performance in primary, secondary and university level.

This is critical because before age 8, your child learns to read, after age 8 they read to learn.

Literacy gaps affect performance in all subject areas.

Watch the video to learn more !

Read, read, read!

Read to your child every day for at least 20 minutes in any language. Reading exposes your child to a wide range of vocabulary, ignites their imagination, increases a sense of connection and intimacy and helps children make the connection between written and spoken words as well as increasing focus, listening skills and attention span (amongst many other things!). After reading, ask your child some questions about the story, eg:

- Can you tell me what happened in the story?

- Which character did you like best? Why?

- Why did (select character) feel happy / sad / shy / afraid?

- Which character would you like to be? Why?

- What was your favourite part? Were there any parts you didn't like? Why?

- Can you think of a different ending to the story?