Media centre
Take your family on a reading adventure
11 Feb 2008
Parents are being urged to give their children a gift that money can’t buy – time to read together. To help parents support their children’s reading in and out of the home, and to celebrate the National Year of Reading, the National Literacy Trust has produced a free family reading activity card.
Julia Strong, deputy director of the National Literacy Trust, explains:
“Parents are a child’s first educator and research has proved their involvement in reading has more of an influence on children’s achievement than any other factor – including how well educated or rich their parents are. Together we can harness the energy of the National Year of Reading and use the family reading activity card to make every home a reading home and every child a reader.”
The activity card is a colourful, pocket-sized, pull-out leaflet and is full of great ideas for parents to encourage reading in the home. It includes ideas for easy games and activities to do around the home and during everyday activities. There are also age-specific tips as well as information on why reading and sharing stories matters. To get a copy of the activity card visit www.familyreading.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. About the family reading adventure activity card
Due to enormous earlier success, the activity card has been reprinted in celebration of the National Year of Reading (originally printed in January 2007). While stocks last, the activity card is available free of charge to organisations wishing to distribute to parents. There is a minimum order of 30 and a maximum order of 250 per organisation. The activity cards are 11cm x 8cm. For more information on how to order visit www.familyreading.org.uk
Both editable and non-editable versions of A5 and A4 posters taken from the activity card are also available to download for free from www.familyreading.org.uk
2. About the Family Reading Campaign
The Family Reading Campaign was launched in January 2007. It brings together key organisations from the education, library, parenting sectors and beyond to promote the importance of reading in the home.
It aims to ensure that:
- All families see reading as an important part of their daily lives and part of the culture of their home.
- Parents and carers find time to read regularly with their younger children.
- Reading for pleasure is recognised as an important part of the process of learning to read.
- Young people feel comfortable about being seen to enjoy reading.
- Reading in the home is encouraged and supported by schools, the local community, the business community, the media and wider society.
The Family Reading Campaign is a partnership campaign delivered by the National Literacy Trust on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. www.familyreading.org.uk
3. The National Literacy Trust report, Reading for Pleasure: an overview (NLT, January 2007), key findings:
- Taking part in reading activity at home helps children become strong and motivated readers.
- Children need the people around them to set a reading example so that they think of reading as something enjoyable.
4.About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. www.literacytrust.org.uk
The National Literacy Trust is leading a consortium of partners to deliver the National Year of Reading 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. www.yearofreading.org.uk
