As new research reveals the majority of primary school teachers are concerned not enough children read for pleasure, literacy experts discuss why tiredness and stress are barriers to families reading together.

By Lisa Salmon.

Many parents see reading with their children simply as a means to an end - that end being their child learning to read.

Some forget that reading can be enjoyable, whether learning is involved or not, and recent research suggests that nearly all primary school teachers (98%) are concerned that not enough reading for pleasure is taking place in some of the nation's homes.

The research, by Booktime, the national free books programme for reception-aged pupils run by the charity Booktrust, also found that stress and lack of time are key reasons for parents not reading with children.

However, Rosemary Clarke, director of Bookgifting at Booktrust, points out that reading with children can be a real stress reliever, and can take just 10 minutes a session.

"Once you get into a routine with it, it's a joy - it's one of the few times when you sit down one-to-one, just you and your child," she says.

"It's the perfect time to get to know who this little person is. There's nothing that can beat it."

However, 40% of parents aren't sharing books with their children for pleasure, and the research found that not reading just for the fun of it is having an impact on the time pupils spend reading and talking about books in school.

In fact, teachers said they could see a clear difference between children who are read with at home and those who aren't - 72% of teachers attributed developed language skills and more advanced reading levels to those children who regularly enjoy shared book time with a parent at home.

In addition, 30% of teachers said these pupils also tend to be the first to answer questions in class, and 23% believe that children who are read with at home are better behaved at school.

"The prize of encouraging a child to love books and stories is way beyond just the ability to read," stresses Clarke.

"Sometimes you should read just for the sheer joy of it and the story, and not worry about whether your child is actually learning or not."

She advises parents to go to the library and choose several books with their children, pointing out that if a book's too hard for them to read on their own it doesn't matter, because if their mum or dad is reading it with them they can understand stories way beyond what they can actually read.

"By doing that," says Clarke, "you're whetting their appetite for something a bit more challenging."

The Booktime study found that parents of four to five-year-olds read with their child for pleasure for one hour and 26 minutes per week, compared with one hour and 18 minutes in 2009.

The research also revealed that one in four parents (24%) now use a digital or audio device in addition to books to read with their child. However, books are still the preferred reading mode: 86% of parents say their child prefers reading using a book.

"I don't think there's any reading device that's bad and you shouldn't use," says Clarke.

"Apps and e-readers etc are all just containers for stories."

But whatever the story container, the pace of modern life means that some parents say they haven't got enough time to read with their children.

Clarke stresses: "You can make time for the things that really matter to you.

"And if you act like it's a chore, your child will pick up on that.

"If it's quite obvious to them that it's a pain for you, they'll see it as a chore too.

"Whatever else is going on in your life, take 10 minutes to read a story. If you do it often enough, you'll start to enjoy it. It's not just worthwhile for your child, it's worthwhile for you."

She adds: "If you're a parent, giving your child a love of stories and encouraging them to be a thinker is an absolute priority.

"You're giving your child the message that you're doing something together that you both really like, and that brings a warm, confident familiarity with books and reading."

More than a million books have recently been given to reception-aged children through Booktime, as a gift from the educational publishers Pearson.

Peter Hughes, head of corporate responsibility at Pearson, says: "A passion for reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give.

"Good reading skills are the basic cornerstone that helps all of us progress throughout our lives."

:: For more information on Booktime, visit www.booktime.org.uk Ask the expert Q: "My baby is six months old and I want to start weaning him - but there's so much information, I don't know where to start! What's the best way to do it?"

A: Dr Rana Conway, author of Weaning Made Easy (White Ladder Press, £10.99), says: "You're right to start weaning, as the nutrient stores your son was born with will be running out by now, and he'll be starting to need more than just milk to get all the vitamins and minerals required for healthy growth and development.

"It may seem like there's loads of advice, but there are essentially just two methods to choose from. You can spoon-feed him pureed meals, or try baby-led weaning (BLW), which means giving him pieces of food and letting him feed himself.

"Both have pros and cons, but I think it's best to combine the two, so your baby has all the nutrients he needs and gets used to eating real foods.

"Start with fruit and vegetables, then over the next few weeks introduce meat, fish, pulses and a variety of starchy foods, such as pasta and rice. Take things slowly at first, but there's no need to introduce one new food at a time, as you would if he was only four months old.

"Avoid giving him salt, honey and foods that could cause food poisoning such as soft-boiled eggs, and keep breastfeeding or giving him formula.

"Most importantly, relax, don't worry if he doesn't eat much some days, and have fun sharing healthy meals together."

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