National Literacy Trust reveals shocking decline in parental engagement with children’s language development
by Educate Magazine October 24, 2024 · All News / Education News
New research from the National Literacy Trust shows a decrease since 2019 in the daily engagement of parents in a variety of learning activities known to support the development of children’s language, communication and literacy skills, including chatting, playing and reading together.
A survey of over 2,000 parents of children aged zero to five across the UK reveals a dramatic decrease over a five-year period, likely influenced by the combined impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and cuts to funding for early years services.
 of parents said they read with their child daily in 2024, a decrease of 15.6 percentage points compared with 2019 when 66.1 per cent did so.</p>
<p>What parents do in and outside the home to support their child’s learning (the ‘home learning environment’) has a powerful impact on shaping a child’s early language development, not only in terms of educational outcomes but also for wider ones, such as children’s wellbeing, according to the National Literacy Trust. </p>
<p>Research suggests that what parents do in terms of their child’s learning and development is more important than their backgrounds. Parents’ engagement in learning activities in and outside the home can act as a protective factor against the negative influence of economic disadvantage.</p>
<div class=)
 for their children due to increases in the cost of living.</p>
<p>In addition, many parents reported spending less on activities (such as after school clubs or trips) for their children and one in 10 reported feeling too busy or stressed to support their child’s literacy at home.</p>
<p>Jonathan Douglas CBE, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Literacy changes everything, right from the very start.</p>
<p>“A child’s early grasp on language and first steps to build communication skills will set them up for life.</p>
<p>“We know parents want to give their children the best possible start in life, but the socioeconomic events of the past five years and limited local support for parents to build awareness and learn new skills around early literacy development have contributed to a climate in which parents have limited finance, time and energy for engaging in home learning activities.</p>
<div class=)
“Given the importance of the home learning environment on improving outcomes for children our findings call for urgent and considered action.”
Tracy Jackson OBE, head of early years at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Through our Early Words Matter campaign, connecting with local authorities, businesses, and community leaders has reinforced our belief in the power of collaboration for change.
“By working together to close the UK’s literacy gap, we can give more children and young people from disadvantaged communities the tools they need to thrive, empowering our future workforce and driving a more equal society through literacy.”
The National Literacy Trust has free Little Moments Together resources designed to support parents and carers of 0-2-year-olds to talk more with their children during day-to-day activities.
Commenting on yesterday’s (23 October) findings, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “One of the most important things a parent can do to support their child’s education is to read with them at home. An early love for books and reading can have a huge long-term impact. It is therefore concerning to see suggestions that parents are reading to their children less frequently than previously.
“There are undoubtedly huge pressures on families currently and cuts to community services and local libraries certainly have not helped either.
“We should be doing everything we can to encourage parents to read with their children as often as possible – just five minutes a day can make a real difference.”
The research can be accessed here.
