Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Great Reading Certificate: Free Printable Certificate for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Great Reading Certificate is a free printable certificate for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). It celebrates reading progress and effort. A child's name, the date and a reason are written in, and the finished certificate is presented and kept. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes on using the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children fill in a certificate that celebrates their reading. They write their name and the date, then use the lines to give a reason, such as something they have read or a way they have improved. The finished certificate is theirs to keep. It can be presented in front of the class or family, which turns a small piece of writing into a proud moment. Page 1 is the certificate. Page 2 is for the grown-up.
Making the certificate mean something
Be specific
Name what the child actually did, such as reading every day, finishing a long book or trying a new kind of story. A clear reason makes the certificate feel earned.
Choose the moment
Present it after a real achievement, not on a fixed schedule. Children can tell when praise is genuine.
Give it an audience
Hand it over in front of the class, at the dinner table or when family visit. A few kind words from others add to the moment.
Keep it safe
Put it on the fridge, on a bedroom wall or in a reading folder. Seeing it later reminds children what they achieved.
Why celebrate reading in Year 2?
In Year 2, children are moving from learning to read towards reading for meaning and enjoyment. The National Curriculum for England covers word reading and comprehension at this stage. Some children are fluent with certain books and still working hard on others. That uneven picture can dent confidence, so a clear sign that effort counts can really help.
Praise works best when it names what a child did. Saying well done for reading every day tells a child which habit to repeat. Celebrating effort, not only speed or book level, matters because children progress at different rates. Grown ups can also show that reading is worth doing by reading alongside the child.
Skills and curriculum link
- Reading
- Confidence
- Celebrating success
- Writing a reason
- Writing on lines
Ideas for giving the certificate well
- Name the effortSay what the child did. Reading a little each day or sticking with a tricky book are both worth naming.
- Let them writeWhere they can, let the child write the reason themselves. Spelling does not need to be perfect for this task.
- Make it an occasionRead the certificate aloud and invite applause. It only takes a moment, but children remember it.
- Look forwardAsk what the child would like to read next. The certificate then marks a step on the way, not an ending.
Key words
- CertificateA piece of paper that shows someone has done something well.
- ProgressGetting better at something over time.
- EffortThe hard work and trying you put into something.
- ReasonThe thing that explains why. Here, it is why the certificate is being given.
- ProudFeeling happy about something you or someone else has done.
- FavouriteThe one you like best.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Decide together what the certificate is for. Talk about a book, a habit or a step forward in reading.
- Fill in the name and the date. Then write the reason on the lines, in the child's own words if possible.
- Present the certificate in front of the class or family. Read it aloud and say well done.
- Display it or keep it in a reading folder. Print another when the next reading goal is reached.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Link the certificate to one clear thing the child did well, such as reading every day or finishing a hard book. Say the reason aloud first, then let the child copy it or adapt it. A short reason is perfectly fine.
To stretch confident children
Ask the child to write a thank you note to someone who helped them with their reading, such as a teacher or a grown up at home. They can say what that person did and how it helped.
Make it a game
Make a reading chart with a space for each book read. When the chart is full, the child earns this certificate and chooses a favourite story to share with the class or family. Agree the number of books beforehand.
Talk about it
- What is the best book you have read lately? What made it good?
- What is something about your reading that you are proud of?
- Which book was hard at first, and what helped you get through it?
- Who helps you with your reading? How do they help?
- If you could read any book tomorrow, which would you choose?
- How do you feel when you finish a book?
Take it off the page
Reading den
Build a cosy den from cushions and blankets. Fill it with favourite books and spend some quiet time reading in it.
Book review card
Fold a piece of paper in half. Draw a favourite scene on one side and write one sentence about why you liked the book on the other.
Story swap
Choose a favourite book and tell a friend or sibling why they should read it. Then listen to their choice in return.
Who it is for
Parents
Choose a real reason before you start, then let your child write it in their own words. Read the finished certificate aloud and put it somewhere they can see it. Praise the effort, not just the result.
Teachers
Use it for a reading milestone, a star of the week or a reading challenge. Present it to the class so the child hears the reason read out. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Home educators
Use it to mark progress in your reading plan. Print one for each child and give each a different, specific reason. It pairs well with a reading chart or a trip to the library.
Where this fits in reading
Before Year 2, children learn to match sounds to letters, blend them into words and share books with a grown up. Those early steps build the confidence that Year 2 reading rests on. Celebrating them is worthwhile.
After Year 2, children move into Key Stage 2 and meet longer books, a wider range of stories and non fiction, and more questions about what they read. A child who feels proud of their reading is more likely to keep going.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Great Reading Certificate for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. It can also be used with other primary ages when a grown up wants to celebrate a child's reading.
- What does the certificate celebrate?
It celebrates reading progress and effort. A grown up and child choose a reason together, such as reading every day or finishing a hard book. The reason is written on the lines.
- How do I use it?
Fill in the name and the date and write a reason on the lines. Then present it in front of the class or family. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown up.
- What if the child finds the writing hard?
Agree the reason together and say it aloud first. Then let the child copy it or write a shorter version. A grown up can also write the reason while the child signs their name.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print as many copies as you need, for example one for each child or one for each reading milestone.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It is also easy to use alongside books and library visits.
- How long does it take?
It is quick to fill in. The part that takes thought is choosing the reason, so let the child take as long as they like. Presenting it to the class or family is part of the activity.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.