But researchers have found that babies do need books to aid their development – and that those introduced to reading at a tender age can streak ahead at primary school.
There’s a huge potential in projects like Bookstart, whose local activities are featured in today’s Examiner.
Bookstart was launched in Birmingham in 1992 and became a national scheme in 1999 with the important aim that children see books as part of their culture, learning and everyday experience.
Of course, babies can’t take the print off the page, but at that stage it is about communication, talking about the book and learning to look at the illustrations and turn the pages.
The earlier children have these experiences, the better it is for them.
At the age of two to three, 68% of Bookstart parents claim looking at books as one of their child’s three most enjoyable activities, compared to 21% of those who haven’t been exposed to books.
Children involved in Bookstart are ahead of others in literacy and numeracy at school-starting age – and maintain this advantage during the first two years at school.
Clearly, the earlier children have these experiences, the better it is for them.
The message to parents is obvious, even if there is no Bookstart group near them: Get reading and get started early.
