A NEW study published by Bradford based Hallmark Cards has revealed that teaching children how to read and write using more traditional methods, like writing shopping lists, could be a powerful vehicle for boosting literacy skills.

The study, released on International Literacy Day, found 40 per cent of five year olds in the UK enjoy sending cards because it enables them to practise their handwriting, whilst over one-third of under 12s said they like receiving cards to practise reading. The research was commissioned by Hallmark as it launches a new campaign in conjunction with the World Literacy Foundation to boost reading and writing skills in schools using real life examples.

Sue Palmer, literacy expert and author of Toxic Childhood, commented: “Today’s children have so many high-tech ways of accessing information, it can be difficult to interest them in ‘old-fashioned’ literacy. But unless children actually want to read, they’re unlikely to put in the effort.

"Endless lessons in ‘phonics’ and ‘comprehension’ won’t make them any keener. In contrast, by involving children in day-to-day literacy activities such as writing shopping lists, reading street signs and birthday cards, and keeping it all as playful as possible, you can lay the foundations for reading and writing.”