#BoroReads has shared the joy of reading for enjoyment with more children during the Covid-19 pandemic, gifting 2,500 magazines in the last few months.
This is thanks to a group of generous magazine publishers and a result of #BoroReads’ work with the School Readiness Team and Middlesbrough Council’s Ethnic Minority Achievement Team (EMAT).
The latest children to be gifted a magazine are those awaiting a school place and their faces lit up when they saw what the EMAT staff had for them: copies of interactive magazines including Peppa Pig magazine and Sparkle World. Responses ranged from “It’s so beautiful!” to “I like the stickers and love to make some of the handicrafts.” Parents have been similarly appreciative, with one father sharing how nice it is to see his children read for fun.
Our research shows that magazines are one of the most popular reading materials for children aged 9 to 18, with 1 in 3 reading print magazines at least once a month. We also know that children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to read above the level expected for their age as those who don’t enjoy reading, and magazines are a great and fun way to get them interested in reading.
Lyn Craig, Acting Manager of Ethnic Minority Achievement Team, says:
“I would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ for the donation of the magazines on behalf of the children. Our service provides educational support to INAs (International New Arrivals) to our community. A magazine is a luxury to most of our children, particularly to our asylum seekers and refugees who have never seen one before.
"Magazines break down the language barrier for the children; they are visual, colourful and interactive. Children are reading and they don’t know it! I feel the magazines will turn them on to the joy of reading and hopefully into lifelong readers.”
Allison Potter, Hub Manager, Middlesbrough Reads, says:
“It has been so wonderful to hear how excited the children have been when gifted one of these fantastic magazines. Thanks to the generous donation from a group of magazine publishers over 2,500 magazines have been gifted to vulnerable children and adults working with a number of partners in Middlesbrough, including social workers, food banks and the EMAT, during the current pandemic.”