Year 2 articles

Considering moving house or renting a property to secure a place at your first choice of school? We have the facts you need to know.

A cunning fox, a haunted room, a terrifying cat, a broken time machine and a princess who fights crime make these short, accessible chapter books perfect for building young readers' confidence.

Lonely rainclouds, tea-drinking dogs, dastardly dragons and grumpy giants make this selection for six year olds the perfect choice for developing readers. The illustrations are wonderful and there isn't too much text, so these books are perfect for a first foray into the world of independent reading.

We could tell you that reading and – even better – learning poetry by heart, will do wonders for your child’s memory, vocabulary and writing. We could tell you that reading and reciting poetry is now a key part of the National Curriculum. Or we could simply say that reading a brilliant poem might give your child a great deal of pleasure. Here are some of the best children’s collections out there, chosen by poet Emma Harding.

When it comes to encouraging children's love of books and reading, teachers (and librarians!) are the experts. We asked Ashley Booth – reader, Year 6 teacher and passionate advocate of children's books – to share his tips for teachers (and for parents!) on igniting a love of reading in primary-school children.

Travel back in time to the dawn of England and find out more about the Anglo Saxons, their stories and their lives. Teacher and literacy expert Ashley Booth shares his pick of the best historical fiction set in the time of King Alfred, including different retellings of the epic Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf.

A rooster who wears skinny jeans, a greedy tiger, a gang of skateboarding fairies and a yoga-teaching giraffe make these hilarious picture books for six year olds the perfect reading choice!

This collection of recommended books to read with your seven year old includes some lovely poems about the great outdoors and nature, a spooky collection of ghost stories, an exciting adventure into an Egyptian tomb and a journey into the magical, wintry land of Narnia. Curl up together and enjoy!

Short chapters, charming characters, hilarious storylines, beautiful illustrations and rich language make these books the perfect pick for seven year olds.

Make the events of 1665 and 1666 come to life for children (and for you!) with teacher Ashley Booth's pick of the best children's fiction about the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. From KS1 early readers to chapter books, there's a historical fiction option for all ages.

World War II was a pivotal time in British history. These page-turning reads will give your children a real insight into what life was like for both children and adults, on the battle field and on the Home Front. By Ashley Booth

Invest in a stack of books to pile up under the tree to guarantee a peaceful, adventure-filled festive break for the whole family. Whatever your child's interests or reading ability, our pick of the best new reads on offer this Christmas includes best-sellers, traditional tales for our times, wonderful world-building quests and laugh-out-loud funny reads. Enjoy!

Get set for an awfully big spooky adventure this half term with our top selection of 53 educational activities for you and your family to enjoy together – watch a flying vampire acrobatic display, crack codes like a World War Two spy, or even go hunting for spirits on the streets of Tokyo!

If finding out about your child's day at school is mission: impossible, try these alternative conversation starters.

Touch typing is an essential skill for today's tech-savvy kids, offering them a huge advantage with secondary-school homework and for the whole of their working life, but your child is unlikely to be taught it in school. Using typing tools can hasten your child's progress while also learning techniques that can increase speed and accuracy.

We review 6 of the top typing tutor programmes to help you find the best at-home learning solution for your family

Take a trip back in time to the sights, sounds and smells of medieval Canterbury with a visit to the much-loved tourist attraction The Canterbury Tales.

Travel back in time to visit a Roman bath-house, explore the Persian empire, find your way through an Elizabethan maze and witness the fall of the Berlin Wall – the whole of human history is brought to life for children in our pick of the best kids' books about world and British history.

See the world through an insect’s eyes, take a trip through your own digestive system (yes, really!), or come face-to-face with Robin Hood and his merry men – we've got a whole host of summer adventures for you to enjoy with these 101 amazing and educational activities from across the UK!

Does your child love writing stories but feel daunted by the blank page? Get them started with creative writing and boost their confidence with a "workbook" packed with story starters, technique tips, example passages and more. Whether they're planning an epic comic strip series, a poetry collection, a ghost story or a fairy tale, these write-your-own-story guides will help them put pen to paper.