Reading with child 'highlight of the day for parents'

9 November 2011

The survey found 60% of parents of children aged four to six read daily with their child for fun. Parents in England and Northern Ireland are spending more time reading to their children for pleasure.

The poll found parents spent an average of one hour and 26 minutes a week reading with their children in 2011, up from one hour 18 minutes in 2009.

For the majority (71%) reading with their child is one of the highlights of their day. But the poll of over 1,000 parents found 18% felt too stressed to do so.

The research also highlighted how parents valued being read to when they were a child, with 64% saying this was a treasured childhood memory.

The researchers also canvassed the opinions of 207 teachers of four to six-year-olds in England and Northern Ireland.

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (72% ) attributed developed language skills and more advanced reading levels to those children who regularly enjoyed a shared book time with parents at home.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15635733