A new campaign to encourage parents and carers to play, talk and read to their young children to help give them the best start in life, has been launched by Scotland’s Children’s Minister, Adam Ingram. 

The Play, Talk, Read campaign aims to build on last year’s success and continue to help parents lay the foundations for improved future life chances for their children. 

The national drive – which includes TV and radio adverts and a one-stop website – is aimed at helping parents stimulate their children from day one through low-cost, fun activities. It will also take to the streets with a national roadshow tour, organised in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust. 

Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram said: 

This year’s Play Talk Read campaign highlights the huge benefits that parents and carers can bring to their children’s lives simply by playing, talking and reading with them more often. Scientific evidence shows that a child’s brain in its earliest years develops at a phenomenal rate. These first few years represent a golden opportunity for us to give our children the best possible start in life.

The three-week roadshow will visit shopping centres and supermarkets in key areas across the country offering free, fun reading and rhyming sessions in an engaging, pop-up area. Visitors will be able to take away free Play, Talk, Read playmats, soft cubes and DVDs. 

The DVD offering advice, interactive games and digital books and more is also available on playtalkread.org and the site has been updated with new online resources including tips and advice, an online community, books, videos, games and promotions.

Sue Palmer, Literacy Expert and Chair of the Scottish Play Commission said:

Children need real-life play and fun activities to develop their physical coordination and control. They need mum and dad to talk to them about everyday events to develop their language and social skills. And, they need stories, rhymes and songs to lay the foundation for success at school. Play, Talk, Read is brilliant – I’ve met lots of parents who find the website really helpful. What’s more, all three of these vital ingredients for healthy child development are free. Play, Talk, Read is a recession-beating formula!

For further information go to  www.playtalkread.org