I recently attended a workshop extolling the virtues of reading aloud to your child. Apparently, a child that is read three books a day, is far more likely to be literate at school age. Infact, some even claim that a child that is read three books a day, ought to be a self taught reader by school age.

Now, both of my children are read about 3-6 books a day, and this was long before I knew anything of the benefits. I’ll share why: when I was a child, some of my most joyous memories, involved curling up with a parent, or grandparent, and listening to a story come to life.

My Grandfather was notorious for ad-libbing the story, when I finally learnt to read myself, rumplestiltskin wasn’t half as interesting, and Snow White was missing a fair chunk of the story (Thank you Granddad) But the thing that has stuck with me, is the magical worlds that unfolded on the  colourful pages, as he read the stories.

When I was seven, my stepfather read the Secret Garden to me putting on yorkshire accents for Dicken and his family, and a haughty british accent for Mary. I still love the Secret Garden, and it’s thanks to him that the characters came to life out of the pages.

My children love listening to the stories of Mr McGee and his apple tree, and anything by Dr Seuss – the rhythm, and colours of both books enchant them. They’re both very young, so their attention span lasts for a few short stories.

But I’m always overjoyed when the elder one brings a book to me in the morning, with eyes shining, a hopeful look on his face and a “Ta Mummy”.

Perhaps I’m helping them become more literate, perhaps I’m helping them become more intelligent – but truly I’m hoping I’m helping to create magical worlds, new friends, and a lifetime love of reading for them.