The summer term always seems to come with a whirlwind of sports days, school trips, sunny playground dramas and end‑of‑year everything. It’s brilliant… and also slightly exhausting. With so much going on, it’s no surprise that reading routines can wobble a bit.
So here’s a handful of simple, realistic tips to keep your child’s reading ticking along – without adding pressure to an already full term.
Just ten minutes a day
With school schedules all over the place, your usual reading slot might disappear for a while. That’s okay. Even ten minutes – at breakfast, after school, or curled up on the sofa – makes a huge difference to confidence and fluency.
And if your child is too tired to read at bedtime, don’t worry. Listening to a bedtime story is still one of the most valuable parts of their reading journey. It builds vocabulary, imagination and a love of stories.
Fill your home with inspiring books
A mix of fiction, non-fiction and familiar favourites can work wonders. Some children need a fun story to hook them in; others want facts about dinosaurs, space, weather or animals. The more variety they have access to, the more likely they are to pick something up independently.
Remember: phonics is just one piece of the puzzle
Phonics is incredibly helpful, but it isn’t the whole story. If sounding out starts to feel like a battle, take a breath and zoom out. The real goal is helping your child enjoy books – whether that’s through decoding, looking at pictures, retelling familiar stories, or chatting about what’s happening.
Read aloud together
Reading aloud is magic for all children, but it’s especially helpful for reluctant readers. It keeps them engaged, helps them follow the story, and gives you natural moments to pause and chat. Talking about what you’re reading boosts comprehension and their ability to think about stories more deeply.
Let them see you reading
One of the simplest, most powerful things you can do is read in front of your child. A magazine, a novel, the back of a cereal box – it all counts. Children who see adults reading grow up believing books are part of everyday life, not just schoolwork.
Enjoy this final stretch of the school year, and if you can build little reading habits now, they’ll carry beautifully into the summer holidays.
If you ever need advice, ideas or a friendly chat about reading, we’re always here to help.