Liz Chamberlain, deputy director of RIF, UK, provides tried-and-tested tips to help schools involve parents in reading activities.

Reading is Fundamental, UK (RIF) is a National Literacy Trust initiative that helps children and young people (aged 0 - 19) to realise their potential by motivating them to read. Children in each project choose up to three new free books a year at special events that emphasise the pleasures of reading and often involve authors, poets, storytellers and illustrators.

Part of the impact of RIF on children's motivation for reading, is the opportunity to involve parents. Here are some ways to encourage parents into schools for events.

• Send a formal invitation - older children could make their own. Children can be powerful persuaders and parents will often attend if their children have made the case.
  
• Remind parents of the event through signs and posters at the school and verbally on the day.
  
• Time the event to coincide with parents dropping off or meeting children.
  
• Identify key parents who will spread the word, especially among those new to the school or whose first language is not English.
  
• Provide refreshments, allowing parents time to relax and talk to others.
  
• Have books on display and children around to talk about them.
  
• Invite the local librarian to events or parents' evenings to sign parents up for the library.
  
• Use events to invite parents to join a book selection committee.
  
• Ask their views about how to encourage more parents into school.
  
• Put together top tips for supporting reading, written by parents for parents.
  
• Offer workshops on how your school approaches reading for pleasure and invite the local bookshop along.
  
• As you discover new resources mention them in your school newsletter, or on your website.

Once parents have come into school for an enjoyable event, they are more likely to come again; the key is to make them feel wanted and welcome. A storyteller or author visit is just one way for parents to enjoy the same experience as their children. After all, who doesn't enjoy listening to stories?

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