The Books Together programme, delivered jointly by children’s charities Coram Beanstalk and Coram Family and Childcare, is celebrating the joy of families reading together this week in support of World Book Day.
Books Together sessions are running in Lambeth and Lewisham this week. The sessions support parent carers of children aged two to five to enjoy reading books with their children, and encourage families to build storytelling into their home routine, increasing children’s literacy skills.
Families enjoyed an interactive ‘Under the Sea’ storytelling session in Hitherfield Children’s Centre in Streatham, Lambeth on 3 March and another family session will run on Thursday 6 March at Deptford Library in Lewisham.
Reading with children, including young babies, builds bonds and supports the brain and language skills from as early as two weeks old. There is overwhelming evidence that children who are read to do better across a wide range of outcomes[1]. Enabling and encouraging parents and carers to read together with their children is particularly important in the pre-school years. Across England, 33% of all children starting reception in the 2022/23 academic year were considered ‘not school ready’ meaning they lack the skills and knowledge they need to be successful at school[2].
The Books Together programme has now been running for a year and is supported by the Mercers’ Company as trustee of the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington.
Since the programme began in January 2024, a total of 38 interactive sessions for children aged two to five, have been delivered in five different London boroughs. Families attend a course of three free Books Together sessions in places close to where they live. Sessions are weekly and free to attend. The first session focusses on ‘Bringing stories to life’, the second encourages ‘Choosing and sharing books’ and the third involves ‘Having fun with rhymes’.
Research shows that children who read are more likely to overcome disadvantage caused by inequalities and are more likely to be happier, healthier and experience better mental wellbeing[3]. The Books Together sessions receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from families who take part.
Find out more about the Books Together programme
[1] https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/avl5b6s6cjfzt1hecuimq/Reading-Together-changing-children-s-lives-an-open-letter-from-UK-Children-s-Laureates.pdf
[2] https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-society-politics/news/article/5659/new-school-starters-not-ready-for-learning
[3]https://www.booktrust.org.uk/globalassets/resources/research/benefits-of-reading—booktrust-2023.pdf