Dads absent for bedtime stories
27/02/2009
• A mere 3% of fathers read to their children, compared with 89% of mothers
• 73% of parents think work commitments prevent them from spending time reading to their children
• 35% of children spend up to two hours a day playing on their computers
Dads are the biggest culprits at not reading to their children due to their demanding lifestyles, according to new research released today.
The nationwide survey commissioned by Happy Films/ CITV to promote their new children’s show Bookaboo, asked 2,000 parents about the reading activities they conduct with their children.
The research shows that 87% of dads claim work commitments prevent them from finding the time to share a book with their children, with over a third (34%) expressing they are just too tired.
Although 89% of mums expressed they often read to their children, 55% said that cleaning can distract them, and 49% can sometimes be sidetracked by household chores or cooking (39%).
Parents expressed that they often rely heavily on other people to lend a hand with reading to their children. Grandparents come out on top (14%), followed by siblings (7%), and aunts and uncles (6%) compared with only 3% of dads.
The research showed that parents believe bedtime is still the most appropriate time to read to their children – with a mere 5% who read to their children during the day and only 30% that would actually ever consider it.
New TV show Bookaboo is designed to encourage anyone to pick up a book and read with their children at anytime of the day.
Lucy Goodman creator of Bookaboo says “It’s important development-wise that young boys are able to share a book with dads, granddads or male carers and it can be fun and rewarding too. Our research is showing that dads are just not finding time to do this but as Bookaboo says, 'A book is for anytime, not just for beddy time', and I hope in Bookaboo we’ve created a character who will inspire an appetite for books in both children and grownups”.
According to the research, parents do recognise the importance of reading as (95%) of those polled have read to their children at some point, but 13% would only do it every couple of weeks or less, and 5% of parents could not remember the last time they shared a book.
Parents further displayed their recognition of the importance of reading as 70% of those surveyed are currently members of a library; however 24% only go once a month, 43% visit the library less than once every month and 34% would not consider taking their children with them.
Parents also seem content with allowing their children to immerse themselves in the TV or playing computer games rather than reading, as 65% of children under 16 have some form of electrical equipment in their bedroom. A significant 35% of children spend up to two hours per day playing on their consoles, 23% spend this time surfing the internet and a whopping 57% of children spend up to two hours per day watching TV.
One of the celebrities featuring in Bookaboo is ex-England Goalkeeper David Seaman and of a dad of two. He believes more dads should be reading to their children “I think it's important that fathers do read to their children because it’s a special time, I have two children, and I read to them both, sometimes they'll come and both listen to the same book – it’s a magical moment and I advise fathers just to try it”.
Booktrust have also showed their support of the survey with Chief Executive Viv Bird, commenting “This new research has revealed there are still great challenges in encouraging fathers to enjoy sharing books with children. Booktrust is pleased to see that so many male celebrities wanted to read with Bookaboo. We hope these well known role models will encourage fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and male carers everywhere to share the joy of reading.”
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Notes To Editors:
About Bookaboo:
Bookaboo is ITV’s new 13 part children’s series highlighting the pleasure of sharing picture books; starting with guest star Meatloaf on 2nd March.
Bookaboo is a world famous drumming rock puppy who “just can’t play without a story a day”. Each episode, a famous face goes back stage to share a story with Bookaboo on his Bookabus. Bojo restored, this puppy can play and cheered on by his celebrity guests, he takes to the stage to give us the best canine drum solo ever heard.
Each episode of Bookaboo will feature the following celebrities and books:
Meatloaf
The Lamb Who Came for Dinner – by Steve Smallman and Joelle Dreidemy
Publisher: Little Tiger Books
Alesha Dixon
More Pants – By Giles Andreae and illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Random House
Michael Rosen
The Night Pirates – by Peter Harris and illustrated by Deborah Allwright
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd
Amanda Holden
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown – by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton
Publisher: Orchard Books
David Seaman
Whatever – by William Bee
Publisher: Walker Books
AL Murray
Pooh Is That You Bertie? – by David Roberts
Publisher: Little Tiger Books
Fern Britton
A Mummy For Owen – by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by John Butler
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Robson Green
Class Two at the Zoo – by Julia Jarman and illustrated by Lynne Chapman
Publisher: Hachette
Kelly Holmes
Norma Snows – by Paula Metcalf
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Julian Clary
The Hairy Toe – illustrated by Daniel Postgate
Publisher: Walker Books
Mel C
No Matter What – by Debi Gliori
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Ben Shephard
Splat the Cat – by Rob Scotton
Publisher: Harper Collins
Kym Marsh
The Cow That Laid An Egg – By Andy Cutbill and illustrated by Russel Ayto
Publisher: Harper Collin
Lucy Goodman and Happy Films
After 18 years working in the television industry in the UK and Australia, multi award winning children’s writer, producer and director Lucy Goodman has created new indie, Happy Films to provide unique and thoroughly entertaining children’s media with subtle educational and socially positive undercurrents.
Goodman’s track record is impressive producing for the BBC, ITV, Disney, Nickelodeon and Pearson Education. Programmes include Sir Gadabout the Worst Knight in the Land starring Tamsin Egerton; Best of Friends; Chatterhappy Ponies and more. She is renowned within the industry for her tenacity, creativity, passion and production values and has won various awards including two BAFTA nominations, a BAFTA win and an Indie award for best children’s programme.
About the research
CITV commissioned an online survey conducted by GFK NOP Media - polling 2,000 parents with children aged under 16 years old from 19th February – 23rd February to coincide with the launch of their new TV show Bookaboo.
Booktrust
Booktrust is an independent charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books. The written word underpins all our activity and enables us to fulfil our vision of inspiring a lifelong love of books for all. Booktrust is responsible for a number of successful national reading promotions, sponsored book prizes and creative reading projects aimed at encouraging readers to discover and enjoy books. These include the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, the Children’s Laureate, the Get London Reading campaign, the Booktrust Teenage Prize and Bookstart, the national programme that works through locally based organisations to give a free pack of books to young children, with guidance materials for parents and carers. Booktrust has recently developed two further free book programmes in the UK: Booktime, run in association with Pearson, gives a free book to every Year One pupil, and Booked Up, which gives a free book, from a choice of twelve, to every Year Seven pupil. www.booktrust.org.uk