In total, 128 children (aged three and four) have received regular home visits and attended events, together with their families, to encourage more engagement at home with stories and books, rhymes and songs, early writing and environmental print. The children's progress is very encouraging, both in literacy development and in raised confidence, interest and involvement levels.
The local authorities have started to spread aspects of the approach across other children's centres and schools. One local authority commented: "It's more than a literacy project, it impacts on so many other elements of families' lives".
Parents' feedback is very positive, with some becoming volunteer supporters for the project in its third year.
Making it REAL is a collaborative project between Sheffield, Oldham, NCB's Early Childhood Unit and the University of Sheffield. For more details visit www.peal.org.uk and www.real-online.group.shef.ac.uk.
