It’s not been a good day for me if I haven’t found time to spend a few minutes reading my latest book. Often as not it is just before I fall asleep, leaving my kindle resting on the pillow next to me. However, according to new research, children today read less frequently than any previous generation and enjoy reading less than young people did in the past.
The work published by the National Literacy Trust in the run-up to World Book Day last Thursday, showed that in 2019 just 26% of under-18s spent some time each day reading. This is the lowest daily level recorded since the charity first surveyed children’s reading habits in 2005. This is a saddening statistic as reading is so beneficial to many areas of life, not to mention wellbeing.
It also found that fewer children enjoy reading, and that this number dwindled with age: nearly twice as many five to eight-year-olds as 14 to 16-year-olds said they took pleasure from reading. Overall, just 53% of children said they enjoyed reading “very much” or “quite a lot” – the lowest level since 2013.
The poet and former children’s laureate Michael Rosen said “We have countless examples of research showing that children who read for pleasure widely and often are best able to benefit from what education offers”. The same survey found a marked gender divide when it comes to reading for pleasure: less than half (47%) of boys were keen readers, compared with 60% of girls. The excuse is often that they are ‘unable to find things to read that interest them’. We have recently added a huge range of both fiction and non-fiction books to the Barrow Hills’ libraries around the School, so hopefully this will not be a reason for our children not to read.
The World Book Day charity this year called on readers of all ages to “share a million stories” by reading aloud or listening to a story for at least 10 minutes a day with friends and family. Our children were lucky enough to share in the Reading Aloud Hour on Wednesday, and the Prep children also listened to the talented Ally Sherrick reading from her novels too.
We are working really hard at School to help all children ‘learn to love to read’ by organising a wide variety of events going forward hopefully to appeal to everyone.
It’s been a busy week in the Prep library at lunch times with children from right across the Prep department coming in to read quietly, play board games and take part in naturally mindful colouring activities. It’s so lovely to see them all.
Mrs Emmett
Librarian
