Parents spend more time watching TV with their babies than reading to them, new research suggests.

Mothers and fathers are more likely to watch a DVD or television programme every day with their children than they are to read them a bedtime story every night.

The new research from charity Booktrust also reveals that two thirds of parents have still not started reading to their babies by the time they reach seven months.

Will White, spokesman for Booktrust, said children should be read to as soon as they are born. He said: “The statistic is shocking because we know that babies who are read to during this crucial window in their development go on to do much better at school than those who don’t.

“They also bond better with their parents and develop language and literacy skills quicker.”

The charity, which questioned more than 500 parents, has been sending free books to babies and toddlers for 20 years. They are handed to parents of young babies by health visitors.

Today’s survey revealed that almost 60 per cent of parents do not own a baby book until they receive the pack from the Bookstart scheme.

It also found that 22 per cent of parents read with their baby every day, compared with 29 per cent who watch television with their baby daily.

Today’s figures come after the Evening Standard’s literacy campaign revealed that one in three children in London does not own a book.

The Get London Reading campaign also revealed that in parts of London one in three 11-year-olds cannot read properly, and a million adult Londoners are functionally illiterate.

Mr White said: “The Evening Standard’s figures on book ownership are worrying. Parents may not be reading to their children because they do not own a book, or because they do not know what to do with them.

“They might not know why it is important to read to their children, or how to do it. It can be embarrassing, particularly if they are not confident with reading themselves.”

By Anna Davis
Source: Evening Standard London