Hints to assist your child to discover a love of reading.
First some facts
- Research shows us that reading for pleasure is positively linked to improving reading attainment and writing ability, text comprehension, grammar and breadth of vocabulary (National Literacy Trust)
- Reading is a skill—and the more you use it, the better you get at it. Conversely, the less you use it, the more difficult it is. (Keith E. Stanovich)
- There is an extremely high correlation between reading for pleasure and academic success. The more you read, the stronger your reading skills become. (Dr. Ellen Ashburn)
Now some figures
- A recent survey at the school indicated a decline in Reading for Pleasure from Year Five (83%) to Year Ten (49%). This negative trend is standard across Australia (and indeed across the world).
- Nearly half the (Australian) population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables; or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle. (National Year of Reading 2012 Scoping Document)
- Aliteracy is the state of being able to read but being uninterested to do so. Illiteracy has traditionally been described as the inability to read and write. There are more Aliterate people than Illiterate people in the developed world.
- There is a strong association between educational attainment and achieved literacy levels. People who have completed a qualification generally have higher literacy scores. (Australian Bureau of Statistics - Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, Australia 2006).
- Personal gross weekly income increases in proportion to positive literacy scores. (National Year of Reading 2012 Scoping Document)
And Then Some Hints!!
- With many online distractions, and many after-school activities, fewer children are reading for pleasure but research shows sinking into a book has academic and emotional benefits for young people.(Sydney Morning Herald - August 15 2015)
- http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/reading-for-pleasure-boosts-children-academically-and-emotionally-20150810-givft2.html and also the NSW Department of Education site - http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/english/english-tips/reading-with-your-child-at-home
- It's extremely important to make it easy for children to get their hands on books. Having a good selection of books at home is a positive step. Don't forget the local library, a great place to visit to boost your home collection, and good practice for children to begin browsing in the library.
- Encourage your children to borrow from the school library every week. Ensure they get into the habit of returning their books to the library every week.
- Take an interest in what they are reading - not sure which books are popular, ask your children.
- Remember that is is important to allow your children to select their own stories.
