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New research reveals more young people own a mobile phone than a book
26 May 2010
Findings from new National Literacy Trust research to be published on Family Week Story Time next Wednesday 2 June reveal that 86% of young people in the UK own a mobile phone, while only 73% have books of their own. The study of over 17,000 young people reveals a strong link between both young people’s reading ability and access to books at home.
The research supports the National Literacy Trust’s new Tell Me a Story campaign which aims to raise awareness of the need for families to support children’s literacy in the home. The campaign will launch next Wednesday (2 June) during National Family Week.
To mark the launch, the National Literacy Trust and National Family Week are calling on families to spend 10 minutes reading with the children in their life on 2 June which is Family Week Story Time – one of seven themed days promoting ways for families to spend quality together. Family Week Story Time will see thousands of family events take place throughout the country to promote reading and sharing stories hosted by museums, libraries, Sure Start Centres and hundreds of other local organisations.
With more young people in the UK owning a mobile phone than a book, results from the new National Literacy Trust research highlight the crucial importance of books in the home:
- 80% of children who read above the expected level for their age have books of their own; while only 58% who read below their expected level have books of their own
- 93% of young people who have books of their own believe reading is important to succeed in life compared to just 80% of those who don’t have books of their own
Director of the National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas says:
“Our research illustrates the clear link with literacy resources at home and a child’s reading ability. By ensuring children have access to reading materials in the home families can help them to do well at school and to enjoy opportunities throughout their life.
“That is why we are launching the Tell Me a Story campaign to raise awareness of the importance of having a literacy-rich home environment. One in six children in the UK will grow up without the literacy skills they need to fulfil their potential. We are campaigning to change this.
“We have teamed up with National Family Week to call on everyone to support Tell Me a Story by pledging to read a story for 10 minutes with the child in their life – whether it’s their son, daughter, grandchild, niece or nephew.”
To find out more and get involved with the National Literacy Trust’s Tell Me a Story campaign visit www.literacytrust.org.uk/tellmeastory
To find out more about National Family Week and Family Week Story Time visit www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk
Ends
Case studies of children and families and celebrity quotes are available from the National Literacy Trust. Bestselling author and Tell Me a Story campaign supporter Adele Parks is available for media interviews. For further information about the Tell Me a Story campaign, the research report or to arrange an interview with National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas, please contact Anna Lindsay, National Literacy Trust Public Relations Officer on 0207 820 6256 or Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
For more information about National Family Week or Story Time, please contact the National Family Week Press Office on 020 8875 796 or email nfw@parys.com
1. About the Tell Me a story research
Children surveyed were aged 8 to 16.
Clark and Hawkins (2010) Young People’s Reading: The importance of the home environment and family support
2. About the Tell Me A Story campaign
The aim of the National Literacy Trust’s Tell Me A Story campaign is to raise awareness that every child has the right to share stories and develop the skills they need for their future. The strong relationship between book ownership and reading ability revealed in the research shows that we can make a significant impact by putting books into the hands of children who don’t have them at home.
In 2010 we hope that the campaign will help us raise £500,000 to support children in disadvantaged communities. Together we can boost life chances for every child.
To find out how you can take action today, please visit www.literacytrust.org.uk/tellmeastory
3. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/About/donate.html
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
5. About National Family Week
National Family Week is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of families. The Week aims to encourage families to spend more quality time together, and champions the benefits of a healthy, active and positive family life. No two families are alike and National Family Week celebrates diversity, supporting a range of initiatives for families of every shape and size.
This unique celebration has brought together the largest coalition on family issues in the country with over 180 national partners behind The Week including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the National Federation of Women's Institutes and the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations. It also enjoys the support of thousands of local community partners across the UK spanning sports associations, local councils, museums and Sure Start Children’s Centres.
The second ever National Family Week takes place between 31 May and 6 June and will see over 5000 events take place across the country including 16 large-scale headline events, as well as competitions and a ‘family value’ campaign offering special discounts and savings from a multitude of family brands.
Highlights of National Family Week 2010:
Monday 31 May
Family Week Picnic, sponsored by Tesco Mobile – Hundreds of picnics organised throughout the country with eight large-scale regional flagship events
Tuesday 1 June
Family Week Film Day, sponsored by Pizza Hut in Association with Vue cinemas and Paramount Pictures – Favourite family films showing in cinemas throughout the country. Special offers and a UK-wide exclusive preview of Shrek Forever After for one day only.
Wednesday 2 June
Family Week Story Time, in association with WHSmith – Story Time sessions and activities organised throughout the UK and the National Literacy Trust will launch a new campaign which will highlight the importance of sharing stories together this National Family Week.
50 WHSmith stores will host readings, with their 10 largest featuring book signings by some of the country’s favourite authors.
Thursday 3 June
Family Week Big Day Out – Families will be able to take advantage of special offers at a huge range of national attractions and experiences.
Friday 4 June
Family Week Games Night, sponsored by Hasbro – A night of fun and games at home is one of the best ways to spend some quality time together.
Saturday 5 June
Family Week Sports Day, sponsored by Tesco Mobile – National Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Three-Legged Race in Multiple Locations. Hundreds of activities running across the UK including eight large-scale regional flagship events
Sunday 6 June
Family Week Feast – The last day of National Family Week 2010, families can prepare and share a family feast, with celebrity recipes and suggestions online.
National Family Week – bringing families together
