A survey of 2,000 parents with pre-school aged children revealed that 58% have a list of books they want their little ones to enjoy, including stories they themselves read as youngsters (62%).
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell and Elmer by David McKee were among the favourites.
In response, childcare provider Busy Bees has put together a ‘top 40 books’ list to coincide with the launch of its new curriculum, Bee Curious. This innovative curriculum is scientifically designed to spark a lifelong passion for learning through play and storytelling.
Gill Jones MBE, group chief quality officer at Busy Bees, commented: “Storytelling is crucial for children’s development, helping them to learn about the world around them and build important communication skills.”
She added: “The results from this research show just how important storytelling is during children’s early years and beyond, with parents understanding the vital role it plays in early development.”
She further explained: “Our unique approach is based on the latest scientific research and focuses on learning from stories and vocabulary, as well as increasingly important subjects such as mathematics to help prepare young minds for school and give them the best start possible.”
Bedtime is the most popular time to read with a child, but four in 10 (39%) parents typically do so both during the day and before bed.
Parents will typically spend 21 minutes a day reading to their children, but 97% admit they enjoy this bonding time. Adding that while reading is good for development it is also a great opportunity to bond with their children.
Over half (52%) believe that reading from a young age helps expand their child’s vocabulary, while 30% think it improves concentration. However, it’s not just about learning; a quarter of parents say it strengthens the bond between them and their child.
Repetition plays a key role in language development, with 72% revealing their child has a favourite book they want to read over and over again. While some parents (27%) find this amusing, nearly half (49%) confess to skipping words or pages to hasten the process.
Despite the focus on repetition and revisiting childhood favourites, 35% admit they struggle with finding new books for their child. A significant 45% turn to their local library for fresh reads, while almost a third (31%) seek advice from their child’s nursery or childminder.
To assist parents lacking story inspiration, Busy Bees has developed a ‘book-u-lator’ tool, saving parents the trouble of brainstorming.
Gill stated: “We hope the tool we’ve created offers those looking for inspiration some ideas for different books to read with their little ones, outside of the classics.”
“The new curriculum brings together 40 years of experience, global best practice and the latest scientific research to nurture natural curiosity and give children a head start for school.”
“All of our early years educators have been trained to support children’s individual development, allowing them to provide quality, playful teaching.”
The company is also currently on the hunt for the nation’s best bedtime storyteller, with the winner set to receive £1,000 and a donation of the top 40 books to a local library of their choice.
