Study says younger children should read more

Young children should be reading more, a new study says.

Research by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), called Competent Children, has followed a group of 500 children since 1993.

It concluded children need "solid foundations in the use of language, symbols and patterns before they start school".

It found that everyday activities, such as parents reading to children, and children practising writing, copying, or doing things like making books, increased their competency levels regardless of family income.

NZCER chief researcher Cathy Wylie said it was not enough just to learn to read, "one of the strongest indicators of positive engagement in school and learning is an enjoyment of language and reading which should be fostered at a young age".

Reading to children, including babies, listening, encouraging children to talk, being patient and showing an interest were ways to foster literacy development, she said.

- NZPA