How to become a better parent

London: Mothers and fathers across the country should follow a "five-a-day" pledge to become better parents, according to a think-tank.

They must be taught how to improve their parenting skills, with the poorest families given extra child benefit if they agree to enrol in special classes.

Critics have branded the recommendations from the CentreForum as ‘ridiculous'.

They come just days after Coalition "poverty tsar" Frank Field made explosive claims about the tragic effect of poor parenting.

The Labour MP revealed that many children begin school without knowing their first name because their parents barely speak to them.

The report from the liberal think-tank calls for a national campaign to boost parenting skills. Each day, parents should be encouraged to read to their youngsters for 15 minutes and talk to them for 20 minutes while the television is turned off. They should also praise their children frequently, play with them on the floor for ten minutes and provide a nutritious diet.

Ask for help

It should be "socially acceptable" for parents to ask for help and learn how to improve.

Chris Paterson, researcher at CentreForum and author of the new report, said: "The scientific evidence shows that what parents do with their children is crucial in terms of the way the brain, and skills, develop."

The think-tank report also suggests creating an additional child benefit supplement for the poorest 20 per cent of the population who attend parenting classes to encourage take-up.