Research
Bookstart makes a difference!
Bookstart children are not only been better prepared for starting school, but maintain their superiority throughout their first years of primary education.
Professor Barrie Wade and Dr Maggie Moore, 2000
The routine of sharing books, stories, songs and rhymes helps to build pre-literacy skills. It also provides a special time and place for you to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.
Research by Wade and Moore proves the effectiveness of Bookstart
Even at a very young age, the benefits of Bookstart are clear
Bookstart children of 2- to 3-years-old were compared with a sample of children who didn't receive Bookstart packs.
The findings showed:
- 68% of Bookstart children looked at books as one of their favourite activities (21% for non-Bookstart)
- 75% of Bookstart parents said they bought books as presents for their children (10% for non-Bookstart).
Researchers observed parents sharing a book with their children, again comparing Bookstart families with a non-Bookstart sample.
- 83% of Bookstart parents read the whole text compared with 34% of non-Bookstart parents
- 64% talked about the story, compared with only 24%
- 43% encouraged the child to join in, compared with only 27%
- 68% encouraged the child to make predictions, compared to 38%.
Bookstart families share more books but these findings also illustrate that the quality of the interaction between the parent and child in enhanced.
Bookstart children enjoy a wonderful start at school
The benefits of a Bookstart pack continue to be felt even once children start school
Professor Barrie Wade and Dr Maggie Moore researched a group of Bookstart children just as they were starting primary school and compared them with a carefully selected group of non-Bookstart children.
Upon starting school, the Bookstart children were significantly ahead of their classmates in all Reading and Number assessments.
At age seven the Bookstart children were still ahead in learning
Professor Barrie Wade and Dr Maggie Moore, 2000
Bookstart outcomes
Did you know children who receive Bookstart packs are more likely to enjoy books and visit their library?
