AN INITIATIVE encouraging parents to read with their children has received £50,000 of Stormont funding.
The Bookstart programme, run by the charity BookTrust, provides books to families with young children and encourages positive home learning environments from an early age.
It is expected that book packs will be delivered to 24,000 families with young children this year.
Stormont education minister Peter Weir, whose department is providing the funding, acknowledged the difficulties faced by new parents during the Covid-19 crisis.
"It is recognised that many new parents may not have access to the same support networks during this very difficult period, or access to books for their children due to libraries being closed," he said.
"Encouraging a love of reading in children from an early age is important to the development of their social and communication skills.
"Small steps, like reading to your child at night, can have a very positive lifelong effect in a whole range of areas."
Liz Canning, head of BookTrust Northern Ireland, said: "This support means that we can now extend our vital programme to all families in Northern Ireland, helping them to start their reading journey, by sharing books, stories and rhymes from an early age."
