Image: Child reads The Very Hungry Caterpillar. (United Way)

It is becoming clearer than ever that reading to children, often and from birth, is one of the most important ways to prepare children for school.

Experts say children who are not read to regularly may start school "developmentally vulnerable", placing them at greater risk of falling behind as the school years progress.

Life Matters hears about a service run by charity United Way, which sends free books to children who need them and helps their parents to read with them, and speaks to three educational experts about the broader issue of how to get all parents and children engaged in reading.