A survey has discovered that the number of parents who read to their children has fallen dramatically over the past two years.

This disturbing discovery follows the news that more than 30 per cent of 14-year-olds are unable to read properly and one in five children leaves primary school unable to read. This must be a cause for national concern and should be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Government.

The report, commissioned by the national charity Booktrust, found that daily reading aloud by parents had fallen from 43 per cent to just 33 per cent over the past two years. Parents said reading had to take a back seat because they were either too busy, too tired, or cooking the dinner. Even more disturbing was the news that more than one in four parents never or hardly ever reads aloud with their children.

Although it's hard not to sympathise with parents who may be overworked or tired, the research discovered that the average four and five year-old spent twice as much time watching TV than reading with parents and six times more than reading and looking at books by themselves. Young children gain very little from watching TV alone and sometimes it may even be harmful to them.

Reading widens our awareness of the world in which we live. Listening to children read on a regular basis provides the opportunity to help them with any difficulties they may be experiencing. Besides listening, it will be necessary to write down any words the child is having difficulty with so you or the teacher can go over them later. This is a short activity and shouldn't take longer than a quarter of an hour. Take this time away from TV viewing time but do it regularly so that it becomes an established routine. As your child becomes more proficient, introduce variety into what you do. Not only does this make it more interesting for the child it also improves their reading ability. For example, you can try sharing the reading, ie, you read and they read alternatively. Put expression into your reading or give characters different voices. This can be great fun as well as teaching children expression.

Look for stories in your library which are humorous. Look for poems like Edward Lear's nonsense rhymes or books of suitable plays
for children. Make it fun because this helps to make it more enjoyable.

If your child is a baby, you can begin by following simple procedures starting soon after birth. You can even start before. According to some experts, talking and singing to an unborn child can have beneficial effects later on.

Books for babies should be introduced soon after birth. Look at the pictures together and talk about the illustrations. Rag books and board books are particularly suitable for very young children because they withstand rough treatment.

Babies won't understand what you are reading to begin with but, more importantly at this stage, they will be getting used to you and your voice and they will begin to respond.

Soon your baby will try to imitate what you are saying. This is the stage often known as babbling. It's important to do this every day along with singing songs or nursery rhymes.

Read stories regularly to your child so that it becomes a part of the daily routine.

Read a story at bedtime. It's a lovely way to end the day. It doesn't need to take more than 10 minutes or so and maybe when your child is very young they'll fall asleep before you've finished.

Join your local library. Ask the librarian for help if you need it. They'll be very happy to advise and may tell you about other services available.

All little children are curious and enthusiastic. The world is new when seen through young eyes and these are the things you must feed if you want them to succeed.

Mike Cruise is a former headteacher. For more information, visit www. rightstartbrightstart.com