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Daddies don't do bedtime stories

Research for the National Year of Reading found that less than half of fathers read bedtime stories to their children on a regular basis. One in 10 fathers were not confident enough to read bedtime stories and felt it was a role better suited to mothers.

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Research for the National Year of Reading found that less than half of fathers read bedtime stories to their children on a regular basis.

The research involved 2,207 adults in which 42 per cent of fathers said they read bedtime stories compared with 76 per cent of mothers, while 60 per cent of fathers said they did not read to their children due to long hours and stress.

Last year saw 87 per cent of girls reach the required level of reading at the end of primary school, in contrast to 81 per cent of boys.

Honor-Wilson Fletcher, the director of the National Year of Reading, said ‘Reading has never been more important, but we know boys lag behind girls when it comes to reading.' She went on to suggest that ‘Boys need to see their dad enjoying reading if they are to become readers themselves as they grow up.' From football programmes, blogs, newspapers or sports magazines, these are all classed as useful reading material says Fletcher.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls proposes that ‘Reading  to your children for 10 minutes at bedtime is the best way of improving kids' chances when they get to school.'

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