UK aims to kickstart reading program with phonics, free books

British government officials hope to boost the reading skills of five- and six-year-old children who are falling behind in primary school. Rapid progress made by pupils after the Labour party came to power in 1997 has ended and results are now barely improving. The government hopes it can kickstart further gains with a synthetic phonic method of teaching children to read. A pilot program involving 5,000 children from the most disadvantaged areas suggested that, with intensive help, children at the age of six could gain 21 months in reading age in just four to five months of teaching. The package also includes more free books for families with young children. For more on the proposal, visit the The Guardian website.