Encouraged to read:
Bookish charity BookStart found that only 37%
of children in Wales are read to before bed

SHOCKING statistics which have been revealed by Booktrust, Britain’s largest reading charity, have shown that only a measly 37% of children in Wales are read a bedtime story before they go to sleep.

This research has been conducted as part of BookTrust’s drive to get children and families into the habit of reading together every day while children are still young.

Evidence has shown that by reading together every day, parents will help their children to be almost 12 months ahead of their age group when they start school.

For busier parents, even reading to children three to five times a week gives them up to a six-month head-start over those who are read to less often.

Wales’ result is much lower than any other region in the UK except for London, where only a meagre 28% of children are read a book by a family member in the 20 minutes before they go to sleep.

Cardiff fared particularly badly in the results, with parents and carers in the Welsh capital less likely to read to their children before bedtime than any other city in the UK.

Only 30% of children in Cardiff said that they read with a family member before going to bed, compared to 55% of children in Bristol, the highest scoring city, and 42% as a UK wide average.

Making reading a bedtime story part of your nightly routine can have real benefits for both children and tired parents.

Diana Gerald, CEO of BookTrust, said: “Reading together at any time of day has real benefits, but there’s something extra special about a bedtime story.

“Children need to feel safe and secure when they sleep, and reading together creates a special quiet time to wind down together.

“Storytime also enhances children’s vocabulary and literacy skills, and enables them to foster a love of reading.’

Through its Bookstart programme, BookTrust is hoping to support families to make sure that reading together every day remains a top priority.

Through Bookstart, every child in Wales can receive free English and Welsh books in their first year of life and again when they are two years old.

Between Monday (Jun 6) and Sunday (Jun 12), the charity will be celebrating National BookStart Week, working with libraries and various early years teams across Wales.

This year’s theme of ‘Under the Sea’ is based on the fun picture book ‘A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea’ by Jessica Law, which will be given free to every child who attends the National Bookstart Week events.

National Bookstart Week was launched at Rhyl SeaQuariaum on Monday (June 6), with a fun family event led by Denbighshire Libraries’ BookStart Team.

There are hundreds of free events for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families which are being held at libraries, nurseries and in early years sessions across the country. Events include stories, rhymes and lots of fun activities to inspire families to read together and enjoy books.

Bethan Hughes, Customer Service Manager at Denbighshire Libraries, said: “Reading and sharing books every day has huge benefits for all children, however young they are.

“Children who read and enjoy books are happier, healthier and do better in life than those who don’t.

“Local libraries welcome children from birth and offer free access to fabulous children’s books – for bedtime stories and reading at any time of day.”

More information about National BookStart Week, as well as fun activities for families, can be found on the BookStart website.

BookStart is funded by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills and delivered in partnership with Welsh libraries and Health Visitors.