Reading with children: 12 tips that make story time work

The best way to read with children is little and often: about ten minutes a day, at the same time, with books they choose and books they see themselves in. Read with expression, pause for open questions (“What do you think happens next?”), let them retell, and re-read favourites. Talking about the story matters as much as the words.

Why does reading aloud matter?

Reading together builds vocabulary, listening and imagination, and it is one of the warmest parts of a child’s day. UK research shows the habit is slipping. In BookTrust’s 2025 survey of 3,508 parents of children aged 0–8, 49% said their child is read with daily, down from 60% in 2021, even though 90% said they enjoy it. The National Literacy Trust’s 2026 survey found that 61.6% of children aged 5–8 enjoy reading, but only 36.1% of 8–18-year-olds do. Starting young and keeping it fun is the best protection, and 2026 has been named a National Year of Reading.

How long should I read with my child each day?

About ten minutes a day is enough for most under-sevens; BookTrust’s booklets for parents suggest exactly that. Consistency matters more than length.

12 tips for better story time

Building the habit

1. Same time, every day. Bedtime is easiest; see our Islamic bedtime routine for a full wind-down.
2. Let them choose (sometimes). Alternate: one book they pick, one you pick.
3. Keep books within reach. A low shelf or basket in the bedroom invites them in.
4. Re-read happily. BookTrust notes that familiar books are comforting and build confidence. Say yes.

Bringing the story alive

5. Use voices and pace. Whisper the scary bits, speed up for the chase, pause before the page turn.
6. Point and name. With toddlers: “Where’s the hoopoe? What colour is the boat?”
7. Let them finish the line. With familiar books, pause and let them say the next word.
8. Act it out. Flap like a bird, roar like the waves.

Talking about the story

9. Ask open questions. “Why do you think he did that?” rather than yes/no questions.
10. Expand what they say. Child: “Boat!” You: “Yes, a huge boat called the Ark, and Nuh built it.”
11. Connect to their life. “Remember when you were brave at the dentist? Like Musa at the sea.”
12. Ask them to retell it. From about four, children can retell a story in their own words, a strong sign of understanding.

What is the PEER method?

PEER is the core of “dialogic reading”, an approach developed by researchers in which the adult gradually helps the child become the storyteller.

What questions should I ask when reading?

Mix five kinds of prompt, often remembered as CROWD:

• Completion: “And the hoopoe flew up to the…?”
• Recall: “What did Ibrahim do first?”
• Open-ended: “Tell me what’s happening in this picture.”
• Wh- questions: “Who is that? Where are they going?”
• Distancing: “Have you ever been somewhere dark like that?”

Use one or two per page at most. If a question breaks the spell, just read on.

What should children read at each age?

• 2–3: board books, rhymes, one picture and a line per page.
• 4–5: picture books with a clear story; stories where they see themselves.
• 6–7: longer picture books and story collections.
• 8–9: chapter books a chapter at a time, plus a picture book for fun.

Our list of the best Islamic children’s books by age has specific titles, and our guide to teaching kids about the Prophets shows how to use story time to share faith.

Why does “seeing themselves” in a book help?

The National Literacy Trust’s surveys find that children respond to reading that connects with their own interests and lives, and choice is a strong motivator. Children are more likely to pick up and return to books with characters who look, live and believe like them, alongside books that open windows onto other lives: a family fasting in Ramadan, a girl wearing her first hijab to school, or a book with their own name in it. Hudhud, a UK personalised Islamic storybook, puts the child’s name and likeness into the stories of five Prophets. Read more in personalised vs ordinary books.

What free help is there in the UK?

• Bookstart Baby: a free pack of books and tips from BookTrust, available in England and Wales through your health visitor or library.
• Your local library: borrowing books is free, and many run Rhymetime and Storytime sessions.
• BookTrust guides: free “Reading with your child” booklets, the 4–6 years one in 28 languages including Arabic.

Reading with more than one child

• Let the older child read a page to the younger one.
• Choose picture books with layers: pictures for the little one, ideas for the older one.
• Give each child one “their choice” night a week.

What if my child won’t sit still?

That’s normal, especially under five. BookTrust reassures parents that it is perfectly normal if a child gets distracted, chews the book or wanders off. Let them move or fiddle: they’re usually still listening. Read shorter sessions, choose interactive books, and stop before they’re bored. Story time should feel like a treat, not a task.

Bilingual families

Many UK Muslim families speak Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Somali, Turkish or another language at home. Read in whichever language feels most natural; the warmth and talk matter more than the language. You can read an English book and discuss it in your home language, or tell Prophet stories in the language of the grandparents.