Crisis of confidence

It is heartening to witness the collective efforts of current and past children’s laureates urging the government to prioritise early years reading. The impassioned plea from these literary leaders underscores the critical role of reading in a child’s development. However, it is equally heart-breaking that such a call is necessary at all.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have a parent who cherished reading and made it a nightly ritual to read to me. This early exposure instilled in me a love for books that has endured throughout my life.

As a parent myself, I extended the tradition of reading to my own children during their formative years. While one of my children embraced the world of books with enthusiasm, the other displayed a reluctance to engage in conventional reading activities. This divergence in response underscores a vital point – the act of merely having a library in schools or allocating funds for books, though undoubtedly crucial, may not be sufficient to address the multifaceted challenges hindering the promotion of early childhood reading.

The crux of the matter lies in the fact that many parents and educators grapple with a lack of confidence when it comes to reading aloud to children. Even if they were equipped with an abundant supply of books, a considerable number would still shy away from this essential activity. The reasons for this hesitancy are diverse, ranging from concerns about their own reading abilities to fears of judgment or anxiety about engaging with young listeners. A parent friend of mine shared with me the pressure that they felt to impersonate the characters in the story, a task that proved daunting enough to deter them from reading altogether.

To address this critical gap, we must recognise the need for interventions that extend beyond the mere provision of books. It is imperative to institute training and support programmes that empower parents and practitioners to overcome their insecurities and relish the positive impact of reading to children.

A parent friend of mine shared with me the pressure that they felt to impersonate the characters in the story, a task that proved daunting enough to deter them from reading altogether

There are a number of examples of excellent initiatives that are making a difference. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, for example, not only delivers free books to children, but also encourages parents to actively engage in reading with their children, fostering a lifelong love of literature. The National Literacy Trust runs the Early Words Together programme, focusing on supporting parents and early years practitioners to enhance the communication and literacy skills of young children. Through workshops and resources, the programme aims to create a positive home learning environment that encourages regular reading interactions. Equally, the Book Trust’s Bookstart programme, involves giving a free book pack to every baby born in England and Wales, as well as further packs at key stages before school, together with guidance on how parents can integrate reading into daily routines. This recognises the crucial role of early exposure to books in shaping a child’s literacy journey. Through these multifaceted initiatives, it is clear that a supportive ecosystem that encourages parents to read to their children, is necessary to actively participate in laying the foundation for literacy from an early age.

At Little Angel Theatre, we have embarked upon a groundbreaking literacy project aimed at creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Partnering with both the Literacy Trust and Macmillan publishing, this initiative – Reading Through Play – seeks to encourage adults to transcend their reading-related anxieties, thereby fostering a love for reading in the hearts of young listeners. It will run in tandem with our current production, a musical and puppet-filled adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book – a celebration of the joy of reading for young children – which finishes its run at Little Angel this month and embarks on a major national tour to over 70 venues from 9th February.

Our project, a play-based workshop, goes beyond conventional methods, providing creative routes into the world of books. Recognising that not all children respond to traditional reading approaches, we tailor our workshops to cater to diverse learning styles. Through interactive play and engagement, we aspire to assist both adults who find it challenging to read to children and children who struggle with conventional routes into the world of literature.

While the call for increased investment in early years reading is undoubtedly crucial, we must also direct our attention towards initiatives that build the confidence of parents and practitioners. Reading Through Play responds directly to the hesitancy many parents face. By focusing on building confidence through a unique approach, this initiative complements existing efforts and emphasises the importance of creating supportive environments for both parents and children. To truly nurture a generation of confident, engaged readers, it becomes imperative to move beyond the mere provision of books and embrace innovative, inclusive programmes that address the multifaceted challenges in early childhood reading. Indeed, it is time to embark on a journey to nurture a generation of confident, engaged readers.

"Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book" is at Little Angel Theatre until 3th February before touring nationally from 9th February.