Children take longer to establish basic reading and writing skills in English than in any other European language, because of the complex syllable structure nad inconsistent spelling systems. A study of 700 children in 15 European countries showed

EVERY DOG HAS its day, so they say, but it seems that pooches are definitely having something of a moment, from Uggie in The Artist leaving his indelible paw prints on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, to Pudsey stealing the nation’s hearts on Britain’s Got Talent. Now it’s the turn of...

When you read to young children, the emphasis should always be on fun rather than education: there’s a lot of learning going on but it’s important that your child enjoys the experience rather than seeing it as a chore. Make it an interactive

learns to overcome setbacks and sally forth bravely. By the end of the book, Seuss has this to say: "And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! Ninety-eight-and-three-quarters-percent guaranteed. Kid, you'll move mountains."Every child should read

Reading regularly with children can dramatically reduce disruptive behaviour, according to a study carried out at eight primary schools in the London borough of Lambeth by the Institute of Psychiatry. The key to the scheme wasn't reading in itself

If your child is having difficulty with reading, she may have a particular problem. Dyslexia affects 10 per cent of the population to varying degrees. Children with dyslexia find reading a slow and tiring chore, so it is hardly surprising

Bedtime reading is one of the last great family institutions, but, like family dining, its populariy appears to be somewhat on the wane as time-pressured parents are eschewing their nightly duty. This is a shame, as the chance to snuggle up and get

The process of learning to read and write is called early literacy and begins way before your child is striding off to school. Educators now know that these skills emerge alongside language development and are intrinsically linked. It doesn't mean

SKYLANDERS GIANTS OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE (Brady Games, £12.99)Skylanders Giants: Two words guaranteed to send shivers of excitement down the spine of boys of a certain age, Skylanders is proving to be the big craze this Christmas. This book reads

, here he is at the bottom, and ready to be introduced to you, Winnie-the-Pooh."Why we love Winnie-the-Pooh* AA Milne's seemingly effortless prose  is perfect for reading aloud. Shepard's inspired illustrations aren't bad, either.* Pooh Bear is just so