juniors: 7-11 years

Children in this age group vary widely in their interests and in their ability to read confidently. These are important years for helping your child become an independent reader. Research suggests that those who go on to enjoy reading - whether fact or fiction, books, magazines or online content - are likely to get better grades and jobs.

You can influence your child's reading habits and attitudes - through your own example and attitudes, and by helping your child find reading materials they will enjoy. Showing an interest in the books they bring home from school will remind them that reading is important to you. Offering the widest possible range of books, comics and magazines, catalogues and online browsing, can inspire both the reluctant reader and the avid story consumer.

Audio, film, television and theatre productions can all introduce new stories to your child and may encourage them to read associated material. Stories are a great way to give advice and ideas to a young person who is dealing with difficult circumstances like disability, bullying, bereavement or family break-up.

5 story activities

1. Keep talking - and listening: children at this age can become less communicative. Try playing 'tell me more'. They pick a subject, which could be as simple as their school day. As listener, all you can say is 'tell me more' when the moment seems right. You'll be surprised how much you discover.
2. Get them started: it can be difficult getting going on a big book or story. Buy them a book on a subject that already fascinates them. Or read the first chapters aloud to get them hooked.
3. Let your child start asserting their own rights as a reader: to chose what they read and when, to stop or backtrack, to discuss or not, as they prefer.
4. Storymakers: you child may become more interested in the people behind the stories or in creating stories of their own. Show them how to find author websites or creative writing sites or visit Storybird.
5. Storytelling too: some children prefer to hear rather than read stories. Borrow audio tapes of children's books or visit the growing number of storytelling sites.