South Australian kids get big boost to grow reading skills

South Australian parents are set to benefit from a multimillion-dollar investment to help grow some of the state's youngest minds.

The "Words Grow Minds" initiative seeks to address a decline in reading habits among parents and promote early learning through increased access to resources and support.

The program, which has already distributed 21,000 resource packs containing books and activity ideas to parents over the past two years, will receive further funding to ensure its continuation for another five years. 

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The packs are designed to provide practical assistance to parents in fostering a love of reading in their children.

"The money that we are committing today will make sure that that can continue but there will be more of it provided to rural regional and remote parts of the state where families might find it harder to get access to books," Education Minister Blair Boyer said.

Kate Ellis, a spokesperson on childhood development, highlighted the challenges faced by parents. 

"Parents are tired, parents are stressed, and sometimes giving them practical tips of a different way that you can interact is sometimes all they need," she said. 

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She also emphasised the critical importance of early childhood development, stating, "it's important now but it's important for these children's entire futures".

"The evidence is really clear, it's about back and forth interactions and it literally helps unlock new parts of the brain and aid development," she said.

Research indicates that 90 per cent of a child's brain develops before the age of five. 

The program encourages parents to incorporate reading into their daily routines, including doing something as easy as reading one book to their young children.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.