Improving child literacy gaps in Britain

The Department for children, schools and families recently released results about 7 year-olds schooling, stating that writing standards have fallen for the second year (80% reaching the expected standard, down from 82% in 2005). Research shows children who read for pleasure have better opportunities in life than those who don't and reading at home with your child, even from the earliest age, will make them more likely to become good readers in later life.

Of a sample of 8,000 primary and secondary schools in England, nearly 11% did not like reading at all, and given that reading enjoyment declines with age, this could be irreversible. In January this year, the National Literacy Trust launched the 'Family Reading Campaign' to highlight the importance of reading in the home and the positive effect it has on a child's long-term development. They've now joined forces with Postman Pat® to further improve children's reading and writing skills with the launch of 'Postman Pat® Letters Pack.'

Nursery packs can be downloaded by teachers through the NLT website and have been developed by educational consultants in line with the 'communication, language and literacy' component of the National Curriculum. The Letter packs are available for parents at all branches of Toys`r'us. Both are aimed at children to improve their core reading and writing skills whilst encouraging family fun alongside learning, as children work with their parents to complete various tasks. Previous studies have shown that kids who read at an early age with their parents have a head start when they finally begin at nursery or primary school.*

Postman Pat® Letters Packs' will be distributed free with every Postman Pat® Purchase over £15 in all Toys R Us stores and online at www.toysrus.co.uk from 10 September 2007.

*(Wade & Moore, 2000) from the National Literacy Website research section.

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