Children of any age can appreciate works of fiction and, by reading or being read to, are able to improve their language skills so it is important to find a way to help children develop good reading habits.

Speaking ahead of the launch of a new reading competition for schoolchildren, Gibb said that reading a book for just half an hour every day was the equivalent of an extra year of education for a child by the time they reach 15.

Knowing whether your child has reading difficulties can be hard to spot. Follow these tips and find out what steps to take to help your child.

By creating an atmosphere in which reading is encouraged, praised and supported; you will help your child improve their reading skills and develop a love of reading.

Reading is something that your children will use every single day for the rest of their lives, so the more they practise and improve on it, the more it will benefit them later on in life.