Bookstart

The recently launched My Bookstart Treasure Chest is funded by the Scottish Executive and supported by 25 children's publishers as a unique gift for every 3 year old in Scotland, part of the UK wide Bookstart programme.

Bookstart also gifts packs for every baby in the country and for every toddler too. Research into Bookstart demonstrates how early book sharing has very positive benefits for children upon school entry. Research has also shown that for parents to enact change in their behaviour and to read more with their children at home, they must hear the message about Bookstart - put simply, that reading with your child is important from a very early age.

Within this session we will look at the research about early book sharing to date and how to practically use My Bookstart Treasure Chest as a way of engaging with parents and their children about the fun and excitement of books and how to pass on the message about the importance of early book sharing in an engaging manner. The session will provide practical hints, tips and guidance about encouraging parents and children to read together at home.

We will also examine how Bookstart fits in with the work of early years settings working with children from 0-4 and how Bookstart can help you to achieve aims in literacy and numeracy. The session will also demonstrate how Bookstart links to the Curriculum for Excellence.

More information about the Bookstart scheme will be on display in the Cultural village.

Caroline McLeod, National Development Manager: Scotland, Bookstart