News
Reading programmes for boys deemed a success
15 Dec 2009
As part of the National Year of Reading last year, the Government launched two programmes, Boys into Books, targeted at boys aged five to eleven, and Book Ahead, aimed at children aged three to five, to encourage more children to read for pleasure. The programmes aimed to strengthen the partnership between primary schools, early years settings and public library services, with almost one million new books purchased as part of the £10 million investment.
The evaluation into the two programmes was conducted by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and highlighted that 33,000 boys aged five to eleven were involved in Boys into Books activities including reading groups, storytelling sessions and library visits. As part of Book Ahead, children aged three to five part took part in over 4,500 storytelling sessions, 5,400 nursery rhyme time sessions and 1,600 book talks.
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said:
Getting children into reading at an early age is crucial. There’s clear evidence that the number of words a child hears by the age of four and their early engagement with reading, are closely linked with later attainment at school.
We know more boys lag behind girls all over the English speaking world, especially in reading and writing, more so for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. That’s why we are working to narrow the reading gaps from a younger age. The million new books distributed through these programmes have made a real difference – and not just in the short term.”
Read the research report, Boys Into Books.
Read the research report, Book Ahead.
