National Literacy Trust

16/04/2026

Children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to perform above average at school. But far too many children in the UK don't have a book waiting for them on the shelf at home.

This year, WHSmith have chosen us as a partner for their charity Christmas cards. Every card purchased helps us bring the joy of reading to more children and families across the country.

Available in store or browse online to this festive season. You can .

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/Search/Keyword?keyword=Christmas%20Cards%20&productType=0

16/04/2026

Reading really does set you free. 🧡

Literacy opens the door to the life you want. But too many children are missing out on the benefits of reading because they don't have a book of their own.

This , treat yourself (or a friend) to this beautiful design by Charlie Mackesy, available as a print or greeting card. Every purchase gets us closer to ensuring that every child has the skills they need to succeed in life.

Shop now:

16/04/2026

A big thank you to Cosy, one of the sponsors of our Early Words Matter Conference this March!

Cosy understands the vital role of communication and play in children’s development and offers fantastic resources to help educators create engaging, language-rich environments, designed to inspire young minds and spark conversation.

Here are some of their suggestions for must-have items in your early years setting:
✨ Grass mini stages: Perfect for performances to build oral language skills.
📚 Reading book barge or train carriage: A magical space for storytelling and role play.
📦 Creative crates: Display books and literacy resources in crates to encourage children to chat about the activities they reach for.
✨ Tuff trays: Bring books to life with sensory, interactive play in a tray!
🥄 Storytelling spoons: Decorated with iconic fairy tale characters so that children can narrate their own stories.

Every year, 187,000 children start school without the communication and language skills they need to thrive. Our Early Words Matter conference will empower early years professionals with the latest research, strategies, and practical tools to tackle this challenge.

Early bird rate available until 31 December: https://literacytrust.org.uk/events/early-words-matter-conference/

16/04/2026

The changing seasons offer a great opportunity to introduce your little one to new words.

When you’re next outside, chat with your baby or toddler about how the weather feels and sounds. You could talk about the feeling of the cold on your cheeks, or the wind in your hair.

For more ideas to make the most of winter moments together, visit: https://wordsforlife.org.uk/activities/go-for-a-winter-walk/

16/04/2026

Even if your baby can’t speak yet, talking to them will help them learn new words and sounds. Watch this parent take her little baby out for a winter walk.

You can find lots more tips like the ones in this video on our website: https://wordsforlife.org.uk/activities/go-for-a-winter-walk/

16/04/2026

We welcome the government’s focus on early years, both through yesterday’s announcement of the largest ever increase to the Early Years Pupil Premium and last week’s new ‘plan for change’ target to raise the proportion of children in England who are ready for school by the age of five to 75% by 2028.

We know that when children aren’t given the best start in life, it can have lifelong consequences as a child’s earliest years are crucial to their development, life chances and future opportunities. Yet last year, 187,000 children started primary school without the communication and language skills they need to learn and thrive, with those from disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected.

That is why we have repeatedly called for an uplift to the Early Years Pupil Premium, to fund essential speech, language and communication interventions and continuing professional development (CPD) for early years practitioners.

Through our Early Words Matter campaign, we are committed to ensuring all children have the firm foundations they need to succeed. It is encouraging to see the government shares this priority and is putting early years support at the heart of their ‘plan for change’.

We stand ready to work with the government to deliver on this joint mission, alongside public sector bodies, local community groups and business to change young children’s life stories.

Find out more about Early Words Matter:

16/04/2026

🎄 Make this Christmas magical with the gift of reading.🎄

Reading together as a family creates memories that last a lifetime. It inspires young minds, nurtures imagination, and shows children new worlds. Our research shows that when children see their role model read, it makes them want to do it too - creating positive reading behaviours to support literacy skills.

But for many children, books are a luxury. 1 in 10 children aged 5 to 18 don't have a book of their own. You can help us change that this Christmas with a donation as small as £7.

💝 Donate now: https://literacytrust.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/christmas/

16/04/2026

Let Sonny, Ben and Lenna read you a bedtime story 📖

This is The Socks That Saved Christmas – written and produced by Tottenham Hotspur. 1 in every 10 children in the UK does not own a single book – we believe a book could change a life story this Christmas 🎄

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

Singing songs and nursery rhymes helps little ones to learn new words and understand their meaning. This is especially helpful if you can relate them to something you've done together, like a winter walk.

If you been out in the rain this week, why not try singing ‘It's Raining It's Pouring’ together?

Visit our website for a reminder of the lyrics: https://wordsforlife.org.uk/activities/its-raining-its-pouring/