Child Development
BBC lobbied on children's radio
A radio network for pre-school and primary age children that would help improve their listening and language skills should replace the BBC Asian Network, according to campaigners.
Research commissioned by Children 2000, one of the organisations that is calling for the network, found widespread support for children's radio among the 2,000 adults surveyed: 23 per cent said a children's service was more important than the BBC's five digital stations, which include 5 Live Extra, R7, 6 Music, Radio 1Xtra and the Asian Network. The next most popular radio station was 5 Live Extra, a sports channel, with 19 per cent of adults choosing it.
A lobbying organisation called the Sound Start group has put forward proposals for a children's network that would feature songs, stories, games, quizzes and music and movement and aim to improve children's listening and language skills. It estimates that a two-year trial of the network, which would be run in partnership with the BBC, would cost £3.6m. It says that the Asian Network's annual service budget is £9.2m.
Children's broadcaster and campaigner Susan Stranks said, 'The Asian Network has had an eight-year trial costing in excess of £56m. This two-year assessment will cost £3.6m, saving money and supporting families with young children, including those learning English as a foreign language.'
Gila Falkus, a speech and language therapist, said, 'The number of children with language delay is worryingly high. Radio is an ideal medium to help them learn to concentrate and to listen without visual distraction. Parents often tell us that they do not know enough stories or nursery rhymes. Shared radio listening would support and give them confidence.'
The BBC Trust has called for a review of children's radio services after Go4It, the final half hour of children's content on mainstream radio, was axed from Radio 4 in June.
