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Three practical tips for you and your baby 1. Little and often: make reading part of your day together Reading can be part of your waking up routine or an afternoon activity – you could even read a buggy book...
Reading with your child should feel like a treat, not a task. But it’s completely normal for story-time to sometimes turn into a battle of wills, especially if your child is reluctant to pick up a book or finds reading...
Doorstep Library’s founding CEO reflects on 15 years of bringing books and reading into the homes of children who need it most—and what comes next. Fifteen years ago, a simple, powerful idea took shape: to bring the joy of reading...
When conflict and war are featured in the news on a daily basis, it is unsettling for everyone, but particularly so for children. Young people often react with fear and confusion as they try to make sense of what is...
This Children’s Mental Health Week we’ve put together a list of six book suggestions that cover an array of different topics from dealing with anxiety to issues with OCD. The books are suitable for children ranging from 0 – 10...
Last term, Doorstep Library had the privilege of participating in the London School of Economics’ Research Volunteering Scheme as a Charity Partner. Through this programme, we were paired with a team of four post-graduate students representing a variety of academic...
Being a Children’s Reading Volunteer with Doorstep Library An Interview with Amin Meet Amin. He is one of our stand-in volunteers. This role allows him to volunteer with us around his shifts at work and meet and read with various...
Our tips on supporting Dyslexic readers In response to a recent article published by TES this week on Dyslexia support in the classroom, we’ve compiled our own 5 tips in supporting dyslexic readers at home. Dyslexia is a common barrier...
Summer is the perfect time for children to relax and enjoy time off from school, but it can also be a good opportunity to nurture a love of reading. Encouraging children to read during the summer helps maintain their literacy...
Written by Professor Teresa Cremin, FRSA, FAcSS, FEA for Doorstep Library. Reading for pleasure – choosing to read – matters. Research reveals that numerous benefits are associated with being a reader in childhood. These include: Enriched vocabulary (you encounter a...
With young minds facing an array of challenges in the modern world, promoting mental health awareness from an early age is key. Children’s Mental Health Week (5th-11th February 2024) serves as a reminder to prioritise the mental well-being of the...
In honour of National Storytelling Week 2024, we wanted to know how parents/carers can best encourage those who are reluctant readers to pick up a book and get lost in a story. To answer this question, we turned to the...
In the field of child development, there is one activity that stands out above the rest: the act of reading. As a practice that is deeply embedded in the fabric of parenting, reading is vital for a child’s growth. Not...
When it comes to encouraging children to read more books, there are a number of strategies and practices that parents and guardians may adopt. From visiting the local library, to setting time aside to read every day, and even using...
This Children’s Mental Health Week Doorstep Library has put together a list of our 10 top picks for discussing mental health topics with your little ones. Children’s books can help to address many challenges, from emotional to learning challenges. Books...
Here at Doorstep Library, we know that books are a great way of helping us talk about things. It can be really helpful for children to read stories which touch on difficult topics, helping them to work through their feelings. For...
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and we would like to discuss how volunteering promotes positive mental health. The theme this year is ‘loneliness’. The week aims to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health...
It’s Global Intergenerational Week a campaign dedicated to connecting everyone who is passionate about everything intergenerational. Now in its third year, the week looks to inspire individuals, groups, organisations, local/national government, and NGOs to fully embrace intergenerational practice, connecting people...
At Doorstep Library, we are firm believers that the impact of reading on children’s mental health goes well beyond the development of strong literacy skills. Over the last ten years of delivering our home reading projects, we have had the precious...
Literacy is a fundamental human right. Each and every day we all enjoy the many benefits of literacy. From the moment we wake up and look at the clock, check the news on our phones, follow the signs at the...
A decade of Doorstep Library – we look back at our journey with words over the last ten years. Katie Bareham, Doorstep Library CEO In 2008 we launched our first pilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham. The project was coordinated...
We are incredibly grateful to Joanna Beckitt for remembering Doorstep Library with a legacy gift. The success of our programmes relies on the dedication that our volunteers give to us and the families we work with. Without our volunteers, we...
By Katie Bareham, Doorstep Library Director We must act now to close the widening educational attainment gap between rich and poorer children. UNESCO states that: “the biggest single indicator of whether a child is going to thrive at school and...
Keeping your children safe online can be difficult. The kids are home from school and you’re all confined to the house. What a nightmare! Until the schools are open again, your child will likely be spending a lot of time...
By Paul Fox, Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer We have more in common “I used to think of Monday’s as my payback day but now I look forward to it as one of the best days of the week.” My new...
You can never start reading too early. At Doorstep Library, we are firm believers that you are never too young to enjoy a book. That’s why our home reading sessions actively involve all members of the family. Our youngest participant...
Doorstep Library believes that greater diversity in children’s books is needed. Here at Doorstep Library equality, diversity and inclusivity are close to our heart. The families we visit embody these values, coming from a wonderful range of countries across the...
