Booktime is run by independent charity Booktrust and encourages children, parents and carers to read together for pleasure by giving a free book pack to children starting primary school. It also aims to reach children not accessing mainstream education through local authority contacts.
Why? Evidence shows that the home learning environment is the biggest single influence on a child's development and achievement later in life, which is why Salford City Council is working with Salford Primary Care Trust to support parents as partners in early learning. Michelle Morris, head of speech and language therapy at Salford Primary Care Trust, says: "In some parts of the country we know that as many as 50 per cent of children starting school do not have the speech, language or communication skills to enable them to learn. Thankfully it doesn't have to be like that, and the solution is a very simple one. Turn off the telly and talk."
Anything else? Alistair Bryce Clegg, a father of three boys in Salford adds: "Reading is a crucial skill as it can open up a whole new world to children."
