Explore the National Literacy Trust’s Family Zone: literacyfamilyzone.org.uk
In response to school closures in the North East and across the UK, the National Literacy Trust has today launched a free comprehensive online zone for parents seeking ideas and guidance for activities that will engage their children at home, whilst also benefiting their reading, writing and language development.
The charity, which runs Read North East to encourage parent-child interaction in order to boost child development and literacy levels, has created Family Zone [literacyfamilyzone.org.uk] – a one-stop shop for families which brings together some of the UK’s most exciting literacy resources and activities in one place.
Drawing on the charity’s expertise and incredible partnerships with teachers, authors, publishers, educational organisations and corporates, local families can access engaging reading and writing activities, book lists, videos, audiobooks, competitions and reading challenges, curated for early years to early teens.
New activities and resources will be added regularly, as the charity develops innovative partnerships and features over the coming weeks and months.
Resources and activities for families to enjoy together at home include:
- Simple and fun Small Talk videos to help parents chat, play and read with their young child
- Top tips for enjoying audiobooks as a family
- A guide to building a reading den at home
- A Reading Miles Global Challenge to encourage children to read around the world
- Activity sheets based on popular children’s books, including Where’s Wally?, as well as playful learning activities featuring much-loved CBeebies characters
- Exciting author videos, including live stories with author Steve Antony, draw-along sessions with illustrator Rob Biddulph and poetry workshops with Sarah Crossan
James Kingett, Programme Manager for Read North East, said: “Our region has some of the lowest literacy levels in the country, and 60% of wards in the North East have significant literacy need. It is therefore vital that we adapt our work during these unprecedented times in order to maintain the progress of our campaign. We are offering every parent in the region a one-stop-shop for resources that can help with their child’s learning from the home. The resources are free and range from live story time with incredible children’s authors to building your very own reading den at home – our Family Zone has something for everyone.”