Reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn, but many parents tell me they’re unsure why schools emphasise it so much or why reading habits at home make such a difference. This guide answers the five questions parents ask most often, using clear explanations and UK‑based research. ⭐ 1. Why is reading so important? A child's reading ability at age 10 predicts GCSE outcomes across all subjects. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) reports that strong