by Frances Maguire
Reading for pleasure is defined by the national Literacy Trust as,’ Reading we do of our own free will, anticipating the satisfaction we will get from the act of reading‘. Most adults understand the importance of teaching children to read. Reading gives us a window to the world and access to knowledge. But, how many of us realise that reading for pleasure can have a profound impact on children’s lives. Recent research conducted at Cambridge University, has shown that children’s brain structure can be positively altered, their mental wellbeing improved and their ability to gain higher academic achievement enhanced when they regularly read for pleasure. Click here to read the research paper (Yun-Jun-Sun Et al., 2023). Click here to read the full paper
‘Children’s brain structure can be positively altered’.
This is good news for children. However, it is now being reported that the majority of children do not read for pleasure. In fact, reading for pleasure is at its lowest level for 20 years. There are many reasons for this which were explored by Julia Donaldson in her recent BBC Radio 4 Analysis Podcast ‘Can reading really improve lives’. Listen Here.
The reasons for children’s lack of interest in reading were varied, including preferring interactive games, especially as the graphics were so engaging, using their phones with different apps and going out with friends.
Why are children not reading for pleasure?
The reasons children do not want to read for pleasure are varied and complex.
1. Being ‘Turned Off’ Books.
As a teacher, I was often saddened by the pressure put on children to reach levels and stages when learning to read. There never seemed to be a pause for enjoyment and pleasure once a child had completed their current reading band. It seemed both parents and leadership teams wanted progress which I felt sometimes came at the price of enjoyment and confidence building. I have seen countless children, ‘turned off’ from the pleasure of reading. This was often because they were moved through reading schemes to quickly.
2. No Role Models.
Children are influenced by their surroundings. If they see their parents, teachers and friends reading they will want to read too. Research from the National Literacy Trust suggests that the parental role in modelling reading has the greatest impact on encouraging children to read for pleasure. Click here for National Literacy Article.
3. Lack of reading material at home.
If books are available and placed in an inviting way, children will want to read. However, books can be expensive and may not seem a priority with so many other financial commitments families face. However, libraries are a great place to get books and do not charge. Boot sales and charity shops all sell affordable books. Some old phone boxes are drop off points for books and are free or available for a swap.
What can we do to encourage reading for pleasure?
As parents and teachers, your involvement in a child’s reading journey is a powerful investment in their future success and well-being. By making reading a pleasurable and regular part of your child’s routine, you are not only fostering cognitive skills such as language development and critical thinking but also contributing to their emotional resilience and mental health. The intimate connection between early reading and positive brain structure in adolescence emphasises the transformative potential of this simple activity. Reading a book with a child, laughing together and discussing the story, demonstrates a wish to spend time with them. Making time to read is of course a challenge for busy parents. A book shared after tea, before bath time, on car journeys if someone else is driving of course. Reading should be associated with good feelings and not rushed. Click here for ideas about reading aloud to children. It is also good to reread the same books. The beautiful illustrations can be explored and aspects of the story that may have been missed can be picked up a second, third or fourth time. Physical Books or devices? The benefits are the same whether children use kindles or hold physical books. Children’s vocabulary will improve, they will learn and gain knowledge and confidence. As with most things a balance of different reading materials would be preferable. Cutting down on screen time and having a book may be good in other ways, such as improved sleep and less eye strain. This though is a subject for another article. The important outcome is to encourage children to love reading and associate it with relaxing and stepping into an adventure.
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