Are you struggling with storytime?

Many mums and dads are struggling when it comes to reading bedtime stories to their children, according to a survey from adult learning agency Learndirect

One in 10 of the 1,000 parents asked had struggled to understand some words in the stories they'd read to their five to 10-year-old children.

Unconfident readers said they just made up words they couldn't read or missed out difficult-looking passages.

And a third of parents with their children's maths homework.

Learndirect, which aims to improve the skills of adults, is producing a children's book, which it hopes will help both parents and children.

'When parents read to children they are physically close giving all their attention to their children and sharing the experience of reading something they both enjoy,' says child psychologist Pat Spungin.

She says 'Learndirect's research found, on average, parents read to their children four times a week for 20 minutes a time which is encouraging. Parents should aim for twenty minutes a day. A good story also helps to develop their morals and values. There's something in it for parents too, as it's an opportunity to build a relationship with a child by delving into their world.

'In this age of screen-based leisure, regular reading with young children can establish good long-term reading habits.'

A government-commissioned report into skills, called for radical changes in the way adults are trained.

According to the report, five million adults lacked functional literacy and more than 17m adults had difficulties with numbers.

More than one in six youngsters left school unable to read, write or add up properly, said the report.

To help parents who might feel let down by their maths and English skills Learndirect is launching a new children's book called Where Did The River Go?. Written by children's author Peter Corey and celebrity parents Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, the book contains challenges for adults to gauge their skills levels as kids enjoy the story.

Visit www.wheredidtherivergo.co.uk to find out more on how to get your free copy of Where Did The River Go? The books are limited edition so are only available while stocks last.

www.learndirect.co.uk