Charity Family Action and the National Association of Head Teachers are working together to produce a series of leaflets for schools to pass on to parents.
The latest publication urges parents to make time to listen to their children and to have “quality family time for speaking and listening”.
It contains advice based around what parents and carers can do to help develop children’s communication skills.
Putting aside mobile phones for short periods is recommended as a good way that parents can show children that their news and views are important.
The leaflet is being sent to the NAHT’s 28,500 members in order for them to pass it on to parents. It can also be downloaded online.
Research by the National Literacy Trust last year found that one in seven parents fail to help their children develop literacy and communication skills on a daily basis, for example by reading with them or discussing school work.
A statement from Family Action and NAHT said: “The main piece of advice is to lead by example – parents should show their child how to be a good listener by listening to them first.
“Patience is key to this – mums and dads should refrain from interrupting or finishing their children’s sentences for them. They should try to give their full attention, for example, by not checking their mobile phone during conversations.”
The campaign emphasises that parents who listen carefully to their children are also “better placed to pick up problems connected with hearing or speech and language development”.
Family Action provides services to disadvantaged and socially isolated families and works with 45,000 children and families a year.
To download the leaflet, visit http://bit.ly/19OtwfV