Campaign to encourage parents to read with children launched in Dagenham
Asda Community Champion Robyn Parson, 22 reads to children at William Bellamy Primary school on World Book Day Photo:David Mirzoeff - Credit: Archant
A campaign to encourage parents to spend time reading with their children has been launched by Barking and Dagenham Council.
The Campaign, ‘10 minutes extra’ was launched during World Book Day on March 6 at William Bellamy Primary School in Dagenham.
Parents have been targeted because they play a critical role in ensuring positive outcomes for their children.
A spokeswoman for the council said children are twice as likely to read outside the classroom if they are encouraged to read by their parents. The extent to which parents create a home environment that encourages reading has been found to have a significant influence on academic attainment.
Councillor John White, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “Our schools are ensuring all children learn the mechanics of reading early in their school career.
“Helping children to develop a love of reading and a habit of reading for pleasure every day is important to ensuring we have well educated and literate young people.
“If parents can spare just ten minutes a day to read with their children they can make a huge difference to their development and help give children the best start in life so they can succeed.”
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The Council is organising and leading a major project in Key Stage 2 focussed on reading comprehension and a pleasure in reading, currently involving 15 local schools.
Some top tips for parents can be found at Barking and Dagenham Council‘s Family Information Service web page lbbd.gov.uk/fis/10minutesextra and includes:
1. Read yourself and make time to read to your child every day – it is also a great routine to have.
2. Keep books at home.
3. Visit your library
4. Keep in touch with school and build on the progress your child is making at school.
5. Be positive and praise your child for trying hard at their reading.
