Australian parents are concerned about literacy development, and welcome online resources to boost literacy learning at home.

New research shows that 86% of parents of primary school aged children are concerned about the development of their child’s literacy skills.

The survey of more than 1,000 Australian parents found that children spend half their homework time – two hours a week – on literacy, and parents spend more than three hours a week working with their children at home on literacy-related activities.

More than two-thirds of parents have been prompted to become more involved in their child’s education following the introduction of NAPLAN skills tests.

Almost all parents – 95% – believe online education programs are important for primary school children and more than half are interested in an online literacy program to use at home. The study showed that if parents could afford more time to help their children with literacy at home, more than a third would choose online literacy games.

Parents identified the main challenges to boosting literacy learning at home are distractions like TV and video games, that children don’t have enough time, cost of additional programs and that finding good quality programs is difficult. They highlighted the most important features for online literacy programs are for them to be fun, effective, linked to the curriculum and affordable.

According to educator Kellie Fletcher the study highlights the growing importance of quality online resources for literacy development that can be used for learning in both school and at home.

“This research shows the high value to parents and children of engaging and effective online literacy resources that complement in-school learning and can also be used at home,” said Ms Fletcher.

“Literacy development is a concern for many parents, and they want the right tools to support their children’s learning particularly resources that are recommend by schools and complement the Australian curriculum.”

The research was undertaken on behalf of LiteracyPlanet, an Australian-developed and internationally leading online literacy program for children aged 4-15 years.

LiteracyPlanet launched a new ‘home’ version of its school program in November 2014.

“Quality online education resources administered through schools give parents welcome guidance and cost-effective tools to support their child’s learning at home,” said LiteracyPlanet CEO Adam McArthur.

“LiteracyPlanet can span both home and school environments. It’s fun and interactive for students and gives parents an easy opportunity to play an active role in their child’s literacy development.”

Key findings:

  • 86% of Australian parents with primary-school aged children are concerned about the development of their child’s literacy skills.
  • Children spend half their homework time at home – two hours a week – on literacy.
  • Parents spend more than three hours a week at home working with their children on literacy-related activities.
  • If parents could spend more time to help their children with literacy at home, more than a third would choose online literacy games.
  • Almost all parents – 95% – believe online education programs are important and more than half of parents are interested in an online literacy program they could use at home.
  • More than two-thirds of parents have been prompted to become more involved in their child’s education following the introduction of NAPLAN.
  • The main challenges to literacy learning at home are distractions like TV and video games, that children don’t have enough time, cost of additional programs and that finding good quality programs is difficult.
  • The most important features for online literacy programs are for them to be fun, effective, linked to the curriculum and affordable.