The National Literacy Trust must be overwhelmed by the level of support it is gathering for its project in London to help children 3-5 years struggling with learning development to read and write.

The scheme was launched by Boris Johnson and Peter Andre and featured the Duchess of Cornwall in a primary school in Chiswick earlier this week.

The Evening Standard is running a campaign to help recruit the 500 volunteers needed as reading ambassadors and literacy champions for the 2,000 London families targeted. By yesterday, almost 3,400 people had signed up and a significant amount of money raised to help fund it.

Encouraging parents to read at home with their children, starting when they are very young, can introduce a whole new world of adventures and a lifelong love of books. Sharing a quiet part of the day together reading a favourite story brings you close, in your own little world.

One of the earliest ways to learn language is through song with your child mimicking your words and pattern of language.

Giving children the opportunity to make music as babies and toddlers helps develop their letters and sounds and language development needed for reading .Word patterns and the rhythm of language are developed through learning songs and rhymes and playing rhythm games by clapping, stamping, moving to music and song  and using musical instruments. Stories are brought to life on storyboards, with children exciting in role play as the main characters.

So, promote a good start for a child by sharing a book, making music and singing a song, the effects are far reaching!

It’s Sunday 12 June and we’re off to the Horsham Baby Show at the Drill Hall to see Hannah Batten who runs the Horsham Baby and Toddler Music Classes.

It must be the time of year. Last Sunday Tessa who runs our Crawley Baby and Toddler Music Classes was also at a Baby Show at the K2 Leisure Centre.

Visiting baby shows have become an increasingly popular pastime for new and expectant mothers. They are a fantastic way of seeing lots of providers of baby equipment, clothing and activities in one place. Music Bus has been exhibiting at baby shows of one kind or another for many years.

We hope to see you there. Come and join the fun.

Helen