Revealed: the age at which parents stop reading bedtime stories to their kids
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Nothing beats snuggling up with your little one under the duvet, reading them a story before bed, after a cup of warm milk to soothe them into a peaceful sleep. But at what age do parents stop this bedtime ritual?
Nothing beats snuggling up with your little one under the duvet, reading them a story before bed, after a cup of warm milk to soothe them into a peaceful sleep. But at what age do parents stop this bedtime ritual?
The number of parents who read to their children significantly falls when children turn 11, new research by the non-profit organisation Book Trust has revealed.
Book Trust, which polled 2,000 parents with children aged between 5 and 11, discovered that on average, 86% of parents read to their five-year-olds every day, or every other day.
But this number drastically drops by the time children reach 11 years old, with only 38% of parents admitting to reading with them regularly.
The benefits
Academic research has showed that shared reading can improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children.
It's also thought that shared reading is a brilliant way of opening children up to new conversations.
The chief executive at Book Trust, Diana Gerald, said:
'When children get older and learn to read for themselves, it can be tempting for parents to step back and let them continue their reading adventures alone.
'However, research shows the enjoyment of reading, developed through shared reading time with parents or carers, has a significant positive impact on a wide range of life outcomes, including social, personal, health and wellbeing, and educational.'
Time to Read
Book Trust's new Time to Read campaign aims to encourage families to read more together.
As the research revealed that nearly two-thirds of parents of primary school children are worried about the lack of shared family time, the campaign is keen to change this.
Book Trust believes reading could be the shared activity that families need to break them out of their 'bubbles' and spend more quality time together.
For more information on the Time to Read campaign, visit: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/programmes/primary/time-to-read/
The best way to instil a love of reading in your child is to start early! If you have a toddler, check out these top books for one year olds and two year olds.
