The National Literacy Trust recently launched their new campaign, ‘Words for Life’, which you can read more about here:

http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/

The National Literacy Trust is a national charity working to support those who struggle with literacy and the people who work with them. They state that their strategic priorities for 2009-2012 are literacy in the home, supporting the acquisition of literacy skills, and literacy as a lever for social mobility and social justice.

The Words for Life campaign launched at the end of February, supported by actress Natalie Cassidy. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the role parents play in supporting the development of their child’s communication skills, including speech and language. Cassidy says that, “From a very young age, I remember reading as an integral part of my life. I would get home from school and sit and read with my family and friends, discovering new stories and enjoying them. Dad and I would play Scrabble on a regular basis – a fabulous way to enjoy words and mum and I would chat each day about different subjects, be it what I had for lunch, or who was coming to visit at the weekend.”

“Having my own daughter enjoy reading, writing and sharing her experiences with me and her dad is extremely important to me. Every night I read with her and we sing all the time! Reading has to be made fun; books are fabulous for the imagination and to help little personalities grow. Every parent should join the library, or buy just one book and share the joy of literature with their children. Happy reading!”

The campaign is tied in with the Trust’s recent research, which revealed that nearly one third of parents don’t realise they are the most important influence on their child’s language and literacy development. The website states that:

• Nearly a third (29%) feel the most important influence on their children’s communication and language skills lays with someone other than themselves.
• 15% cite teachers as having the biggest influence on these skills.
• One parent in seven (14%) does not spend any time on a daily basis supporting their children’s literacy development, for example by singing nursery rhymes or reading with them.

Yet, the good news is that nine out of ten (91%) parents would like to spend more time helping their child develop their literacy skills.

If you think that your child may benefit from support with their developing communication skills, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here:

https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry

Sarah Bennington, March 2012

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.