Useful links
Helping your child learn to read, and making sure that reading is an ongoing part of their life, is a long process. You don't have to struggle with this on your own. There are lots of people and organisations which can help you with information and ideas.
Contact your child's nursery or school If you want to find out more about reading with your child, request a time to talk to your child's teacher.
Join the local library local libraries are a great source of books, tapes,
videos and CDs for children of all ages, and they are free.
Address: see your local telephone directory or contact the national library
association, CILIP, Tel: 01970 622174. http://www.dil.aber.ac.uk/cilip_w/English/Contact/index.htm
The Welsh Books Council is a national body which provides information
on available reading material in Welsh and English.
Address: Castell Brychan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2JB.
Tel: 01970 624151. www.gwales.com
Booktrust offers advice on sharing books and produces a wide range of
booklists for babies, picture story books (for 2-6 yrs), beginning to read
(5-8 yrs), newly fluent readers (6-10 yrs).
Address: Book House, 45 East Hill, London, SW18 2QZ.
Tel: 020 8516 2995. www.booktrust.org.uk
The Basic Skills Agency provides information on help for adults with
their own reading and writing. It gives information on Family Literacy
courses, which parents can attend with their children. If you have preschool
children, the Agency can also tell you about the new Language
and Play programme which focus on early language and literacy.
Address: The Basic Skills Agency, Commonwealth House,
1-19 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1NU
Tel: 020 7405 4017 www.basic-skills-wales.org
The National Literacy Trust gives advice to parents helping their preschool children with reading. www.literacytrust.org.uk
The Federation of Children's Book Groups can provide you with free booklists.
Address: Drwsgobaith, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6DA.
Tel: 01437 720230. www.fcbg.org.uk
The British Dyslexia Association can provide advice if your child has
specific reading difficulties.
Address: 98 London Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5AU.
Tel: 0118 966 2677. www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk
The Welsh Language Board has information for families on all
aspects of bilingualism.
Address: Market Chambers, 5-7 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AT.
Tel: 02920 87 8000. www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin is a membership organisation of Welsh medium
pre-school groups and parent/carer and child groups which
promotes early bilingualism and literacy.
Address: 145 Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3NT.
Tel: 02920 436800. www.mym.co.uk
The Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association
encourages parents to
understand and provide for their children's needs, through high
quality pre-school groups and through story and rhyme.
Address: Ladywell House, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1JB.
Tel: 01686 624 573. www.walesppa.org
The National Childminding Association promotes quality,
registered childminding to enable children to be cared for and
learn in their own homes.
Address: NCMA, 4 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ.
Tel: 02920 342336. www.ncma.org.uk