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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 10 November 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2014. It was answered by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Monday, 17 November 2014 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Children: Reading

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage parents to read to their children.

Answer

Research has shown that parental involvement in early education as part of daily family life at home has a greater impact on children’s well-being and achievement than any other factor, such as poverty, parental education or, later on, school environment.

Through the book gifting programme, the Department for Education funds the registered charity, Booktrust, to provide support to increase parental engagement and involvement in their child’s educational development. This includes:

  1. a ‘Bookstart Baby’ pack to every child up to the age of one year;

  2. a ‘Bookstart Treasure Pack’ to three and four-year-olds; and

  3. working with children’s centres across England to engage disadvantaged families in their child’s education, providing resources and guidance around sharing books, stories and nursery rhymes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
214160
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Children Parents Reading
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk