Parents spread the word

August 04, 2008

| Submit Comments | Comments (7) | Previous | Next

Childrens author Trish Cooke reads to kids in Moss Side.

ARE you sitting comfortably? Then let's begin.

Parents in Manchester are being urged to read more to their sons and daughters in a bid to boost literacy levels.

A storytelling chair was set up in St Peter's Square, where children's author Trish Cooke helped show mums and dads the benefits of bedtime reading.

She also helped launched Telling Tales - a competition to find the nation's best storyteller.

It follows research showing only half of Manchester's mums and dads read to their children.

Honor Wilson-Fletcher, director of the National Year of Reading, said: "We need to get all parents confident as storytellers, reading aloud with their kids as a matter of habit."

Mums and dads read stories to camera as part of the Telling Tales competition. Regional winners will be selected and one crowned national champion.

Coun Mike Amesbury said: "The benefits for children who are read stories by parents or other family members on a regular basis are well documented. Telling Tales will hopefully show how special that shared time can be."

| Submit Comments | Comments (7) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 7 and replies | View All

rugbygirl (04/08/2008 at 12:26)

Oh my word - what parent doesnt read to their child at any stage??? I agree that some parents skills leave a lot to be desired but a story like this makes out that we dont read at all to our kids. My daughter could read lots of words before she started nursery - and she actually used to hide under the table at school because she preffered reading to doing gym in the hall. Dont tar all parents with the same brush - its only the tiny minority who really should know better.

Matthew Wright (04/08/2008 at 13:13)

Once upon a time there lived some goblins who took it naturally to read to the younger goblins. This was when the fairys that lived in the mountains commonly known as the Church and the Government belived in attempting to raise peoples standards.

Then came the evil red devils whose "Inclusivality" and "Political correctness" ruined the country the goblins lived in. Then the Evil red devils began to ask "What has happened to the fairys beutiful country"

Hows that for a fairy tale

ace, manchester (04/08/2008 at 13:37)

Parents in Manchester are being urged to read more to their sons and daughters.
The problem with this statement is, Can most parents read and write?.

The Cloggy (04/08/2008 at 15:23)

I am bemused too at this!

What parent wouldn’t read to their child?

However, I also have an issue about people 'banging on' about literacy.

Remember, numeracy is of high value too! The amount of parents who can’t even do an 'average' for example is far greater than the number of parents who can read and write!

I do feel maths and numeracy are ignored by a lot of parents due to the 'fear of maths and numbers'.

Ask yourselves honestly, if your teen comes home with calculus or algebra for homework tonight, how many of you could help, guide and assist?

Reading and writing is not the be all and end all.

Marc (04/08/2008 at 18:00)

"Once upon a time there lived some goblins who took it naturally to read to the younger goblins. This was when the fairys that lived in the mountains commonly known as the Church and the Government belived in attempting to raise peoples standards.

Then came the evil red devils whose "Inclusivality" and "Political correctness" ruined the country the goblins lived in. Then the Evil red devils began to ask "What has happened to the fairys beutiful country"

Hows that for a fairy tale"

an example of why some people should be banned from reading. it gives them the idea that they're clever and witty.

Mr Manchester (04/08/2008 at 19:02)

Well done, Matthew, you've just shown your intellect to be truly Grimm.

Councillor Allheart, in a black cab (05/08/2008 at 08:17)

Well done Matthew. If Mr M and sidekick marc have criticised you, you've done a good job. Bring back Thatcher!

()

Report

News