General Teaching Council Northern Ireland

Bedtime stories a problem for many parents

25-07-2007

Bedtime stories a problem for many parents

Tuesday July 24, 2007
The Guardian

One in 10 parents struggle to understand the bedtime stories they read to their children, a survey by adult learning organisation Learndirect has found. Almost a quarter (23%) skip passages they cannot read or invent words to get to the end of a sentence, the poll found. A third of parents also admit to difficulties in helping their children with their maths homework.
Despite the difficulties, the poll found that reading stories is enjoying a renaissance, with 73% of families preferring it to playing in the park or watching TV.

Learndirect is launching a free children's book, Where Did the River Go? - backed by television presenter Eamonn Holmes and his partner Ruth Langsford - to encourage parents to test themselves as they read to their children.

Holmes said: "Reading together as a family is very important to us. It's an opportunity for quality time and we can do it anywhere. It's a good way to test yourself but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of reading with your kids." The book is filled with maths and English puzzles that need to be solved to reach the conclusion of the story.

The poll of 1,000 parents with children aged five to 10 found that a third of parents had problems helping their children with maths, particularly fractions and percentages. One in five had difficulties with English homework and 12% of parents said they struggled to understand books they read to their children. Learndirect estimates there are 26 million adults who struggle with English or maths.

Child psychologist Pat Spungin said parents could help their children to improve English skills by reading them stories. "When parents read to children they are physically close, giving all their attention to their children and sharing the experience of reading something they both enjoy," she said. "In this age of screen-based leisure, regular reading with young children can establish good long term reading habits."

Learndirect's research found that, on average, parents read to their children four times a week for 20 minutes, which Dr Spungin said was encouraging.

 

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