Children's minister Aileen Campbell kicked off the PlayTalkRead roadshow in Lanark before the campaign bus travels to Glasgow and towns and cities across Scotland.

The campaign aims to stimulate children's development through positive interaction with their parents.

The idea is by using free or inexpensive methods of play, talk and reading in the early years of a child's life it will aid their educational development later in childhood.

The campaign is based on research which shows brain development is most rapid from 0-3 years and that investing in quality time doing simple activities during this period can have a huge influence on their development.

Children whose parents talk to them frequently have better language skills than parents who seldom talk to them.

Ms Campbell said: "Playing, talking and reading more with our children can greatly enhance their development.

"As a Government, we're committed to improving the life chances of Scotland's children by giving them the best possible start in life.

"The PlayTalkRead campaign is a great example of this approach.''

Parents can get ideas of how to take part in stimulating sessions with their children, with staff holding play, Bookbug song, rhyme and story sessions

The bus will eventually visit all of Scotland's 32 council areas.

On Monday January 23, the PlayTalkRead bus will be at the car park, Thorntree Halls, Spiersbridge Road, Thornliebank from 9am to 5pm.

A free PlayTalkRead DVD offering interactive games and digital books will be available for parents and carers to take away.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk