Lagos — Longman Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Pearson Education Limited, has launched a pilot reading programme for children to access with mobile phones.The pilot project, the first of its kind in Nigeria, is called "Ladybird Mobile Reading Pilot" and is based on the Ladybird Key Words books which millions of children around the world have used to learn to read over the past 45 years.

The programme helps the child master a foundation of the most important words of the English language - words that make up half of all those used in everyday reading and writing.

According to Kern Roberts, a director of Longman Nigeria Plc and the Project Coordinator, the programme "is a great opportunity for parents to participate actively as their children take their first steps in learning the English language."

"The programme is interactive and fun and provides a fantastic way for parent and child to work and bond together. But more importantly, children really benefit from the strong start in language skills that the Ladybird Key Words reading scheme offers.

"The Ladybird Mobile Reading Pilot is just one in a series of innovative projects from our stable that will transform the teaching and learning landscape in the country - and even beyond," he said.

In this pilot, children aged from five to nine download to their parents' mobile phones a series of reading, spelling and grammar activities recommended by their teacher.

Currently, seven schools in Lagos are participating in the introductory phase of the Reading Pilot. The schools are Greenwood House School, Ikoyi; Livingsprings Schools, Lekki; Lead-Forte Gate School, Ogudu; Hallmark Nursery & Primary School, Agidingbi; Halifield School, Mende; Sunnydale School, Ikeja GRA and CTC International School, Ikeja GRA.