'Time to Read' campaign urges parents to share more reading experiences with young children

To mark International Literacy Day (8 September), BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, launched its first ‘Time to Read’ campaign to encourage families to spend more time reading together, even when children are ‘too old for a bedtime story’.

New research found that while the typical family home is crammed full of 39 children's books, parents manage to find the time to read to their children just three times a week.

Diana Gerald, BookTrust chief executive, said: “When children get older and start to learn to read for themselves, it can be tempting for parents to step back and let them continue their reading adventures alone. However, research shows the enjoyment of reading, developed through shared reading time with parents or carers, has a significant positive impact on a wide range of life outcomes including social, personal, health and well-being and educational.

“It is now widely acknowledged that children who enjoy reading will read more often and this helps them do better at school, even in subjects like maths. Indeed, reading for pleasure regularly has more of an impact on a child’s educational achievement than having a parent with a degree.

“It is the combination of skills and a love of reading that enables children to achieve academically and in life. We know that this lifetime love of reading is sparked by reading together, and the shared adventures that books can offer well beyond the nursery school years.”

A survey, conducted by bed specialist Silentnight, revealed that despite 1,350 parents believing their child sleeps better after sharing a book, one in ten said they did not read books at all and instead let the children watch television, while seven per cent said they told stories from memory.

The BookTrust reveals that almost two thirds of parents are concerned that their family spend too much time in their individual ‘bubbles’ at home rather than interacting with each other. Most parents cited working pressures, social media and technology as reasons why they are spending less time interacting with their children.

Silentnight sleep expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, said: “It is interesting to see that the stress of modern life may be taking its toll on the simple things, like reading to our children at bed time.

“It is very important that parents really make the most of this quality family time as a book at bedtime is an integral part of a child's development and helps to ensure they have a good night's sleep.”

However, the study shows that many parents are aware of the benefits of reading with their children, which include increased bonding and physical closeness, enjoying a shared experience and having fun together.

Professor Peter Fonagy, head of the research department of clinical, educational and health psychology at University College of London (UCL), and chief executive of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, said: “A strong, lasting bond between families and children is founded on shared interests, excitement, and wonder - all of which can be achieved by reading for pleasure, which opens doorways to safely explore new worlds and concepts that fire their imaginations.

“Children have a multitude of developmental needs that can all be served simultaneously by reading together with parents or carers they love and trust. The long-term cognitive and emotional benefits are clear – reading together promotes optimal interpersonal, developmental and educational functioning in later life."

For more information on the campaign, visit: www.booktrust.org.uk.