We are delighted to be working with local author and illustrator Steve Antony to encourage parents to read and talk with their young children.
The National Literacy Trust Hub in Swindon, known locally as Swindon Stories, has created a suite of new campaign material to encourage parents to put down their screens and spend time talking, reading and singing with their children. The flyers and posters feature Steve’s adorable character Blip from his 2017 book Unplugged, which he wrote to encourage turning devices off and enjoying the outside world with your friends and family.
The campaign materials contain messages such as ‘Buggy chatter does matter’ and ‘Phones away, let’s play!’. They highlight the importance of interaction between children and parents in everyday life to improve literacy levels and ensure children are ready to start school.
Bradley Simmons, Swindon’s Regional Director of Ofsted, said:
“Parents have a vital role in helping children be ready for school. For example, taking the opportunity to speak to your children when you’re out and about can really help them with their vocabulary.”
The posters and flyers can already be found around the town and will be popping up in more places over the coming months. Swindon Borough Council’s adult community learning team has included flyers in learner packs, materials are on display in Swindon libraries, and they have been available from Thamesdown’s travel shop since August. A number of youth groups and community centres also have the materials on display.
Swindon Stories aims to display the messages in as many parts of Swindon that parents and children access as possible. This includes parent and toddler clubs, public transport, leisure centres, sports teams, supermarkets, youth centres, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, cinemas and bookshops.
If you have somewhere you could display Swindon Stories posters and flyers, where they would be seen by parents and carers, please get in touch with Media and Communications Officer Sarah Olley.