Tips for parents

At Coram Beanstalk we want every child to be a confident reader and every adult to feel comfortable reading with the children in their lives. This section has lots of useful tips to help you grow a love of reading.

Here you'll find 12 of our top tips to help you grow a love of reading at home.

Read to your child, regardless of how old they are! Read more

Reading shouldn't just be reserved for bedtime Read more

Check understanding with book-based games and discussion Read more

Embrace reading the same books (over and over again!) Read more

Reading doesn't have to be all about fiction! Read more

Set yourself up to succeed! Read more

Read together as a family! Read more

Get more out of a picture book Read more

Give the right message Read more

Read to the dog! Read more

Make it personal! Read more

Lead by example! Read more

A reading helper's response to 'Why a joke book is more than just a stocking filler"

Reading helper Michael Dillon talks about his experience of using joke books, in response to Gill Worrall's blog "Why a joke book is more than just a stocking filler."
Being more open-minded about science fiction

Science fiction - do you love it or hate it? And if you're not a fan, does that mean you're less likely to share a science fiction book with your child? Gill Worrall our resources developer explores how exploring all sorts of genres with children is important - regardless of our own preferences.
Why we need to be more open-minded about science fiction

With Science Fiction Day on January 2nd, our Book of the Month and theme for January just had to be science fiction books! Love them or hate them, its important to offer children as many different reading materials as possible to help them find their own favourite genre!
January 2022

Our #BeanstalkBrilliant Book of the month for January is 'The Jamie Drake Equation' written by Christopher Edge and fits perfectly with our theme of science fiction books. Find out more about the book and how being opened-minded about the books we offer children, regardless of our own preferences, is important!

Become a volunteer reading helper

Fill in our simple application form here.
What we need from you

Find out more about what's involved in being a Coram Beanstalk volunteer.
Frequently asked questions

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions by potential volunteers.
What you get from volunteering

Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Coram Beanstalk volunteer.
Our approach

Find out more about how we work and our approach to reading support.
Thank you for applying to be a Beanstalk reading helper
Literacy charities join forces

On 1st November 2017 Reading Matters merged with the national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk.
Our Senior Leadership Team

Our Senior Leadership Team is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the charity.
Story Starters training

Our early years programme offers a unique approach to equipping adults in your setting to help children develop all six crucial pre-reading skills plus the communication, concentration and confidence they need to ‘catch the reading bug’. Read more about how our unique programme Story Starters can help you ensure that children start their primary education ready to be taught to read.
Our Trustees

Our Board of Trustees hold decades worth of high-level experience which they use to govern Coram Beanstalk and direct our strategy.