Literacy news
Richest 20% of children twice as likely to be read to at age three
2 May 2012
The All Party Parliamentary Group on social mobility has released a report that says reforms aimed at families with young children are much more effective at boosting social mobility than strategies aimed at 16- to 18-year-olds.
The report cites evidence which shows the richest 20% of children are twice as likely to be read to every day at the age of three as the poorest 20%. It also said that children aged three should be given basic literacy lessons to get them fully ready for school.
Damian Hinds, the Conservative MP for East Hampshire and chairman of the cross-party group, said the scale of the challenge was “immense”, adding:
The very earliest years are an obvious place to prioritise. This is not easy territory because it's about parenting. No one wants to be telling parents what to do in their own home. There are things which we know are good for children, like having books in the home, holding them, a good diet. The challenge is to find ways to encourage good parenting.
Read more about the group’s report on The Telegraph website.
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