Telltale signs

The latest statistics indicate a further fall in literacy levels in Scottish children.

Could it be that the Scottish Government has ignored the role of illiterate adults – especially illiterate mothers – in child illiteracy? The shared bedtime fairy story has been proved important in child development. If parents are illiterate this important daily ritual cannot occur.

Instead of a “baby box”, perhaps it might be more appropriate for the Scottish Government to present a “literacy box” to new parents, with access to appropriate mentoring to raise their levels of literacy where necessary. This is not a minor issue when it is believed that up to ten per cent of our adult population are “literacy challenged”. Being illiterate excludes people from opportunity and integration in society. This is clearly demonstrated by the inordinately high percentage of people in our prisons who are illiterate.

As Sean Connery once said, the most important thing for him in his life was being able to read. This should be true for everyone. ELIZABETH MARSHALL Western Harbour Midway

Edinburgh