From Times Online
October 24, 2007
Parents told to make bedtime story routine

(The following is something we all know but it cannot be restated often enough).

Having a bedtime story should be as much of a ritual for children as brushing their teeth, Ed Balls the Schools Secretary said today.
He called for a national revolution in children’s reading habits at home, as well as school.
Mr Balls wants all parents to read to their children for at least ten minutes a day and encourage their interest in books.
His announcement heralds the Government’s ‘national year of reading’ in 2008.
Mr Balls said: “Let’s make a start now. Why not buy your child a book for Christmas or birthday?

“As a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to find time. But I want every parent to make a book at bedtime as much a part of the daily routine as brushing their children’s teeth.
“Just ten minutes a day can make a difference to a child’s future - and will instil a love of reading from a very early age.”

Improvements in primary school test results have slowed in recent years, with one in five 11-year-olds still falling short of the standards of English expected of their age group.
Mr Balls said reading standards in schools had risen but acknowledged that they need to improve further.
“There is still work to be done, especially in getting those kids really struggling up to standard,” he said.
“Along with schools and the education community, I urge parents, publishers, authors, broadcasters, celebrities, employers and local communities to come on board and make 2008 something really special.”