IPPN

Published: 22 December 2011

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), the professional body representing over 3,350 primary school leaders, has urged parents to give their children a book for Christmas to help cultivate a love of reading.

Seán Cottrell, IPPN Director, said giving children electronic or paperback books is an investment in their early-stage development, with strong knock-on implications for character formation, reading and comprehension abilities in later life.

‘This festive season, IPPN encourages parents and extended family members doing the last of the Christmas shopping to consider buying a book for the children on their list. 

‘Books are a window on the world which can fire a child’s imagination, help them to absorb and understand information, and develop reading and writing skills in those crucial formative years.

‘Parents and other family members can help their child to appreciate books and share with them the magic of stories in what can become an interactive and enjoyable experience,’ said Mr Cottrell.

His call comes as figures from the latest Programme for International Student Assessment ranks Ireland 17th out of 34 OECD countries for literacy. 

‘Improving literacy standards is best achieved when reading becomes part of everyday life and not confined to the classroom.

‘Clearly, our ranking in reading literacy needs to improve and simple gestures like giving a child a book for Christmas can help to ensure that the graph goes in the right direction over the coming years,’ said Mr Cottrell.

IPPN President Gerry Murphy said libraries are far more than just places to borrow books.

‘Catering for a huge diversity of reader, libraries hold regular author readings, exhibitions and writing competitions, among other activities.

‘The library service, which is vastly underutilised, is a tremendous resource to parents and communities throughout the country.

‘For an annual fee of about 50c per child, a trip to the library opens up a whole new world of reading and learning at virtually no cost.

‘It is very encouraging to hear children in fifth class saying that the Harry Potter films were okay but not a patch on the books,’ said Mr Murphy.

He said today’s books come with amazing graphics and illustrations, pop-up characters and plotlines to cater for all tastes.

‘There is no greater habit to develop in a child than a love of reading and, borrowed or bought, a book is a gift that keeps on giving,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS