NEARLY HALF OF parents in Ireland read to their children before bedtime but almost just as many would like to spend more time doing it according to a survey.

The survey of over 4,700 Irish parents by the Bord Gáis Energy Book Club found that many parents are books and reading enthusiasts especially when they have children.

Forty-seven per cent most read to their children before bedtime however 43 per cent would like to spend more time doing this.

They survey also found that 98 per cent of parents still favour using the print book instead of devices such as Amazon’s Kindle when reading to their children.

Bookshops (64 per cent), online sources (57 per cent) and libraries (44 per cent) are the top three sources of information on children’s books with 63 per cent of parents surveyed giving books as gifts to their children on a regular basis.

Reading to your children is critical according to one literacy expert.

Dr Eithne Kennedy, lecturer in literacy from St Patrick’s College, said: “Reading is critical for success in school and in life, permeates much of what we do every day and contributes so much to a child’s development.

“It opens up new worlds, nourishes imagination, creativity, thinking skills, general knowledge and vocabulary. Shared reading between parent and child is an essential element of making this a reality.”

The survey was undertaken as part of Bord Gáis Energy’s ReadTogether initiative which encourages people to enjoy and get the most out of their time by reading with their children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Events are taking place in libraries in Dublin and in Cork over the next four weeks. For more information see the website.

Poll: Do you read to your children at bedtime?

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