Everyday text gives reading an immediate purpose. It can increase practice without creating a separate formal session.

Use real family routines

Invite your child to read:

• a road sign or direction during a journey;

• one part of a menu;

• the next step in a recipe;

• instructions for a game;

• information about an outing;

• a short message or timetable.

Read alongside them and take over difficult sections. For example, your child might read the ingredients while you read the longer method, then find the next instruction when it is needed.

Keep the focus on using and understanding the information. Do not correct every error or turn the activity into a surprise test.

Follow the child’s interests. A game guide, football table or animal fact can be better reading practice than a worksheet.

As confidence grows, offer a slightly longer or less familiar piece of useful text. Don’t turn every journey, meal or outing into reading practice. It works best when the reading is useful anyway.