More time spent on screens than reading to their child
A recent study shows that parents are spending more time on screens than reading to their child. The study was carried out by the reading charity. Figures showed that parents are spending more than 1,5 hours on devices that contain screens such as computers, phones etc. This time could be spent reading a story with their child.
Sharing a story with children can benefit children in so many areas of their development, from learning new words to learning about the world around them. Many children enjoy sitting with an adult and listening to a story, whether this is just before bed or during the evening.
It is important that time is found in the day to read to children to help develop their imagination skills as well as their early literacy skills as this can help children later on in life. Parents need to remember that it is not always about reading an actual story book, books such as comics or magazines can be just as good.
To help spread the message about sharing a story with children Booktrust, along with television presenter Dermot O’Leary, Alex Jones and Mel Giedroyc are asking parents/carers to join in an annual event called the Time to Read Campaign which runs this week. The campaign involves parents finding ten minutes in the day to share a story with their child.