Three quarters of teachers surveyed across Scotland say that their pupils’ enthusiasm for reading increased after receiving Read, Write, Count bags funded by the SNP Government.
These contain books for children plus hints, tips for parents and are gifted every year to families of Primary 2 and Primary 3 children.
In a Scottish Book Trust survey, parents, carers and teachers welcomed the bags as a highly valuable resource which had a positive impact at home and in the classroom, finding that:
74% of learning professionals said pupils were more enthusiastic about books since receiving the bags.
77% of parents said the bags made them realise the importance of being involved in their child’s learning.
79% of teachers said the bags had a positive impact on their teaching practice.
Separate research published today also highlights the success of the SNP Government’s Parent Club campaign to encourage more parents to involve reading, writing and counting activities with their children in their daily lives.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP was at Craigroyston Primary School in Edinburgh today to present the latest batch of Read, Write, Count bags to pupils and said:
“It is vital to help young people develop a love of reading at an early age, so I am delighted to see teachers and parents hail the positive impact which Read, Write, Count bags are having at home and in the classroom.
“Our gift bags are an essential resource for some of our most vulnerable learners, playing an important role in improving both literacy and numeracy. This intervention in the early years is crucial in helping to close the attainment gap between young people from different backgrounds in our schools.”
Added Kenneth Gibson MSP:
“We know that increased parental engagement has a significant impact on children’s academic achievements. It is often in close family moments like reading at bedtime where a passion for books is ignited and I’m pleased to note that the SNP Government’s Read, Write, Count campaign is successfully encouraging more parents to read with their children at home.”
The Scottish Book Trust is funded by the SNP Government to develop and deliver the Read, Write, Count gift bags. The gift bag research was commissioned by Scottish Book Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government and the survey findings are available online.
An evaluation of the campaign is also available online.
More information on the support available through Parent Club is available online.
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