World Book Day is an annual event to encourage children to read for pleasure, but more than a third of children cannot choose what they want to read, and one in five New research has revealed that people feel valued for what they read.
“Children tell us that they think their reading choices are judged by the adults around them,” said World Book Day CEO Kathy Chadderton. “It demotivates them and keeps them from reading for pleasure or on their own initiative.”
A survey of 1,000 British children aged seven to 14 conducted in January by consulting firm Beano Brain also asked children about their parents’ hobbies. Only 25% of children said their parents read a book to relax at home, 56% said their parents scrolled on their phones, and 52% watched TV. “Adults usually tell me to read a book, but then I use my cell phone,” an 11-year-old boy who “doesn’t read” told researchers. “My teacher and father are doing that too!”
More than a quarter of respondents said they would enjoy reading more if it was more enjoyable (30%) and if adults nagged them less (28%). One in four girlfriends of their children said they were encouraged to read a book they didn’t want to read.
“I had a kid in my classroom who had a book that he wanted people to see what he was reading and a book that he wanted to read underneath that,” said Alice Reed, a teacher at Buckingham Elementary School in Hampton. “They’re hiding something. It’s important to make sure it’s a worthwhile book. It’s a book that gives them comfort, that’s easy to read, that has characters they can relate to.” As a classroom practitioner, it’s important that you don’t opine on whether or not it’s a “must-read” book. ”
The findings and campaign come just over a week after a report commissioned by the National Literacy Trust highlighted a “literacy crisis” that could cost the group’s economy £830m a year. Announced. The report identifies 106,000 five-year-olds in the UK each year who currently do not meet expected standards but could with the right support, two-fifths of whom live in deprived areas. He is said to be living in . The report coincides with the launch of Early Words Matter, a NLT campaign to provide literacy support to 250,000 children in areas hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
Fiona Evans, head of school programs at NLT, said 40% of 11-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds leave school without achieving expected reading levels. Meanwhile, more than half of children do not enjoy reading in their free time, which she says is the “lowest level of enjoyment in nearly 20 years.”
“All of this has led to declining literacy rates, especially among children and young people experiencing poverty,” Evans added. “Without these literacy skills, it is difficult for them to live the life they want. It means that the start of school is already delayed, GCSE results are lower, and employment is affected long into adulthood. There is a possibility.”
The World Book Day campaign, called ‘Read Your Way’, will see the charity work with 20 libraries in high-poverty areas to encourage reading for pleasure. “Yesterday I heard about Newham Libraries’ work, with 44% of children in the borough living in poverty,” said Isabel Hunter, CEO of Libraries Her Connected. “There are millions of children whose families cannot afford books at home, so it’s so important that they have access to libraries and that they can focus on providing additional support to those families.”
Chaderton said there is no legal requirement for schools to have a library. One in seven primary schools do not, and this rises to one in four in disadvantaged areas. Mr Hunter said libraries were crucial in promoting reading for pleasure as children could choose from a “huge range” of books. He says, “At school, there may be certain books you have to read,” but the library is “for kids to really discover their interests.”
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Libraries across the country are at risk of budget cuts or service suspensions as Congress faces major financial difficulties. Last week’s Local Government Association survey found just under half (48%) of councils said library services needed to be cut. The city council plans to make these savings by reducing opening hours and staff numbers, and closing some areas completely.
“What we’re talking about here is that the library isn’t just trimming a little bit around the edges. It’s just severe cuts that local residents will see a big difference in service.” Hunter said. The layoffs could include “branch closures, headcount reductions, reduced book purchases, and suspension of activities.”
Mr Hunter said libraries could help solve some of the “pressing social problems” caused by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. These include early childhood education and literacy, preparing children for school, and supporting disadvantaged families and children. “We’re at a point where libraries can really, really help” with some of these issues, but “unfortunately, we’re also at a point where libraries are underfunded and libraries need help.” contract. “
