Family bookshelves filled with DVDs

A new survey suggests that half of UK children are spending more time playing computer games or watching DVDs than sitting down with a good book.

A third of parents are seeing that their bookshelves are now being dominated by DVDs, despite the fact that 96% of children still enjoy reading for pleasure.

DVDs and computer games took particular priority amongst 11-12 year-olds, with 70% of parents admitting they spend more time in front of the screen than reading.

The survey showed that one in 20 homes had less than ten books on their shelves, with households dominated by boys having less access to books than girls.

However, children do still appear to enjoy reading, with one in three reading every day, although not always with their parents. Although the findings show that dads are reading to their children more than last year, mums still appear to be reading the most, with 67% claiming they are the main reader in the house.

3,090 children and parents were surveyed by the reading charity Booktrust, who are now taking action to ensure that children have better access to books by sending out two million free books to schools across the UK with two book programmes, Booktime and Booked Up.

Booktrust is an independent UK charity dedicated to encouraging people to enjoy books and trying to ensure that every child and adult has the opportunity to enjoy reading, regardless of income, language, literacy skills, disability or culture.

What do you think of the survey's findings? Do you have enough books in your house? Do your children prefer watching TV to reading? How do you make sure your children read? Discuss it here