Calls to roll out literacy scheme nationwide

A research programme which improved the literacy, behaviour, and concentration levels of children in disadvantaged areas should be rolled out nationwide.

Launching the evaluation report of Doodle Den, a children’s literacy programme run in Tallaght West from 2008 to 2011, the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) said the pilot service had improved word recognition, sentence structure, and word choice among the children who took part.

It also led to improved concentration, reduced problem behaviours in school, an increase in family library activity, and an increase in the child’s reading at home, the CDI found.

Doodle Den was trialled as an after-school literacy service in six schools in Tallaght West and involved seven groups of 15 senior infant children participating in three 90-minute sessions a week.

It also included six parent sessions and three family sessions per year.

The programme placed an emphasis on learning through games and fun activities, and was carefully evaluated to measure its impact.

A total of 464 children, 472 teachers, and 197 parents participated in the trial over three years and it was independently evaluated by the Centre for Effective Education at Queen’s University in Belfast. The cost of the intensive programme for 15 children for one year was €25,262.

CDI chief executive Marian Quinn said that given the clear results of the evaluation, Doodle Den should become part of a menu of evidence-based after-school programmes for children across the country, particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

“Doodle Den offers a real opportunity to give children a good start in life. Literacy is a core life-skill, without which later chances of full employment, and active citizenship are greatly reduced,” she said.

Given its success, Doodle Den was extended in Tallaght this summer for a further year and expanded to three schools in Limerick under the School Completion Programme, with 140 children expected to benefit from the programme over the coming year.

“We are very pleased with the progress made in integrating Doodle Den into the School Completion Programme in Tallaght and Limerick, while also recognising that we have some way to go before ensuring that Doodle Den is an option for children in all parts of the country,” said Ms Quinn.

CDI is one of three prevention and early intervention programme organisations, jointly funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and Atlantic Philanthropies.