Why Reading Starts Before a Child Can Read | Laura Henry-Allain MBE

Reading enjoyment among children is at a 20-year low. Only one in three children now say they enjoy reading in their free time. So what will it actually take to reverse that decline and why does it start in the earliest years?In this episode, Babyzone CEO George Looker is joined by Laura Henry-Allain MBE, creator of Jojo and Gran Gran, the first Black British animation produced for CBeebies, National Year of Reading ambassador and one of only 49 educators worldwide named a Global Master Leader in early care and education.In this episode we talk about: The National Year of Reading and what going all in really means Why parental confidence is one of the biggest barriers to reading at home The Jojo and Gran Gran origin story and what it took to get a yes from the BBC Dyslexia, neurodiversity and a lifelong love of reading Why representation in children's books benefits every child What children understand that most adults have lostBest Beginnings is a podcast from Babyzone, the UK's fastest-growing early years charity, dedicated to giving every baby the best start in life.Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday.