Reality TV star Marnie Simpson joins Luton children at Rhyme Time session

Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson supported Department for Education’s Hungry Little Minds campaign in Luton ahead of World Book Day (March 5).

The reality TV star visited Luton Central Library on Tuesday, March 3, to take part in a rhyme time session.

Marnie, from Bedfordshire, co-hosted the session which involved a mixture of songs and popular nursery rhymes.

She also played with the children and shared her tips on how parents can support their children’s learning at home.

Marnie, who gave birth to her first child in October last year, is supporting the Hungry Little Minds campaign which encourages parents to support their children’s learning in their earliest years, from newborn to five.

She said: “It was so great to come along to this Hungry Little Minds Rhyme Time event – free events like this are amazing to get parents and children together.

“As a new mum, I try to read as much as I can now because I know it’s important for my son, Rox.

“Even though he’s too young to understand everything, I definitely try to play and chat with him all the time, just to keep him engaged – it’s fun for both of us!”

The campaign was launched to address the fact that too many children still fall behind early and it is hard to close the gaps that emerge.

New research published by the Department for Education earlier this month demonstrated that higher levels of home learning environment activities between the ages of two and five were associated with better outcomes at school.

The Hungry Little Minds campaign is one part of the government’s work to give every child the best start in life.