In a survey in January 2023 the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and Macmillan Children's Books found that poetry is read aloud less than once a week in 93 per cent of primary schools, and nearly 20 per cent of school children never hear a poem read aloud. The author, Learning and Programme director at CLPE shares her tips for using poetry in early years settings as a key vehicle to teach children about language as well as inspire a love of reading.