Homework hacks to help your child thrive

With the kids enjoying their first weeks back at school, phonics expert Ann Sullivan shares her top tips for helping little ones learn to read at home and love words

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There’s a great saying by author Anna Quindlen: “Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey.” And she’s spot on. Books, and the ability to read them fluently and joyfully, opens up a world of possibilities. They help you to learn and also imagine. To read them is one of the greatest gifts we have.

Children up and down the country are now back in classrooms, ready to learn. And in early years education, reading is key.

The great thing about it is that as parents, grandparents and guardians, we can help them at home too.

It's never too early to start - showing a baby a book introduces them to the concept of stories and pictures right from the get-go. But, and this is important, it's also never too late to start either.

Your little one will benefit from your help no matter when you give it to them as they navigate the world of learning.

With more than 30 years of experience and as an expert in phonics, I'm here to tell you how it's done.

You have... A TODDLER

It might feel early, but there are so many fun things you can do with your toddler now to build the foundations for reading later.

■Play sound and action games - try peekaboo, tickle games or anything that links noises up with movement.

■Say or sing nursery rhymes with actions - bring out the classics like Incy Wincy Spider or Old MacDonald.