Reading is an essential skill that opens up a world of opportunities for children. It helps them to learn and grow, both academically and personally. However, research shows that reading for pleasure is declining in the UK, with only 28% of children reading for pleasure outside of school every day.
This is a worrying trend, as reading for pleasure has many benefits for children. It can help them to:
- Develop their vocabulary and comprehension skills
- Improve their writing skills
- Learn about different cultures and perspectives
- Develop their imagination and creativity
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve their quality of sleep
Statistics on reading for pleasure in the UK
- Only 28% of children in the UK read for pleasure outside of school every day.
- Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to read for pleasure than children from more affluent backgrounds.
- Children who read for pleasure are more likely to achieve higher grades at school.
- Children who read for pleasure are more likely to have a positive attitude towards school and learning.
How to encourage children to read for pleasure outside of school
- Create a positive reading environment in the classroom. Make sure that there is a wide selection of books available for children to choose from, and that there are plenty of comfortable places for them to read.
- Model reading for pleasure. Let children see you reading for pleasure yourself. You can do this by reading aloud to the class, or by talking about the books that you are reading.
- Make reading a fun and enjoyable experience. Avoid using reading as a punishment or a reward. Instead, focus on making reading a pleasurable activity. You can do this by reading aloud to children, sharing your favourite books with them, and playing games that involve reading.
- Talk to parents about the importance of reading for pleasure. Encourage parents to read to their children at home and to provide them with a variety of books to read.
Develop your reading skills and knowledge with TT Education
TT Education’s CPD on-demand course Raising Attainment in Reading can help class teachers to develop their skills and knowledge in teaching reading. The course covers a range of topics, including:
- The different stages of reading development
- How to teach reading comprehension
- How to assess and support struggling readers
- Practical resources that teachers can use in the classroom, such as lesson plans, worksheets, and games.
These courses are packed with valuable information that will help you to succeed in teaching reading:
Reading for pleasure is an essential part of a child’s education. It can help them to develop their academic skills, learn about the world around them, and reduce stress and anxiety. Class teachers can play an important role in encouraging children to read for pleasure by creating a positive reading environment in the classroom, modelling reading for pleasure, making reading a fun and enjoyable experience, and talking to parents about the importance of reading for pleasure.
