Read, Write, Count: Teachers and parents welcome gift bags for P2 and P3 pupils.

Three quarters of teachers surveyed across Scotland say their pupils’ enthusiasm for reading increased after receiving Read, Write, Count bags.

The Read, Write, Count bags – funded by the Scottish Government and containing books for children plus hints and tips for parents – are gifted every year to families of P2 and P3 children.

In a Scottish Book Trust survey parents, carers and teachers welcomed the bags as a highly valuable resource which had a positive impact at home and in the classroom.

The research found that:

– 74% of learning professionals said pupils were more enthusiastic about books since receiving the bags.

– 77% of parents said the bags made them realise the importance of being involved in their child’s learning.

– 79% of teachers said the bags had a positive impact on their teaching practice.

Separate research published yesterday also highlights the success of the Scottish Government’s Parent Club marketing campaign in encouraging more parents to involve reading, writing and counting activities with their children in their daily lives.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney visited Craigroyston Primary School to present the latest batch of Read, Write, Count bags to pupils.

Mr Swinney said: “It is vital to help young people develop a love of reading at an early age, so I am delighted to see teachers and parents hail the positive impact which Read, Write, Count bags are having at home and in the classroom.  

“We know that increased parental engagement has a significant impact on children’s academic achievements. It is often in close family moments like reading at bedtime where a passion for books is ignited and I’m pleased to note that our Read, Write, Count campaign is successfully encouraging more parents to read with their children at home.

“Our gift bags are an essential resource for some of our most vulnerable learners, playing an important role in improving both literacy and numeracy. This intervention in the early years is crucial in helping to close the attainment gap between young people from different backgrounds in our schools.”

Scottish Book Trust is funded by the Scottish Government to develop and deliver the Read, Write, Count gift bags. The gift bag research was commissioned by Scottish Book Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government and the survey findings are available online.

The evaluation of the marketing campaign is also available online.

More info on the support available through Parent Club is available online.