In a thought-provoking statement, children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce advocates for a shift in focus from learning to pleasure in children's reading. This perspective challenges the traditional view that reading should primarily be about academic achievement. Cottrell-Boyce argues that the 'business of learning to read' can overshadow the joy of reading, potentially discouraging children from engaging with books. He emphasizes the importance of early years and home environments, suggesting that a lack of resources and parental confidence can hinder reading for pleasure.
The decline in children reading for pleasure is a pressing issue, as evidenced by the National Literacy Trust's survey. Only one in three children aged eight to 18 enjoy reading in their spare time, a significant drop since 2005. Cottrell-Boyce attributes this to various factors, including the influence of screens, austerity, the pandemic, and poverty. He highlights the impact of 'furniture poverty' in emergency social housing, where a lack of a proper bed can disrupt bedtime routines.
To address this crisis, Cottrell-Boyce proposes a government focus on early years and reading for pleasure at home and nursery. He advocates for supporting parents and nursery workers, many of whom may struggle with reading aloud due to their own negative experiences. Early years workers, often the youngest and lowest-paid, have had their education experiences diminished by the pandemic, further complicating the issue.
Cottrell-Boyce believes that the solution doesn't require substantial financial investment, as much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place. He emphasizes building parental confidence and promoting 'shared reading' in community settings. By prioritizing pleasure over learning, he argues, we can create a positive reading culture from the earliest stages of life.
This perspective is supported by Rebecca Sinclair, the president of the Publishers Association, who calls for a shift in the narrative around reading. She suggests that reading should be presented as a joyful activity rather than a means to an end. Sinclair also highlights the need for more time and space in the school day to foster a love of reading.
The UK's National Year of Reading initiative, supported by the National Literacy Trust, aims to combat declining reading-for-pleasure rates. However, Cottrell-Boyce's statement underscores the importance of a fundamental shift in perspective, prioritizing pleasure over learning, to ensure that children develop a lifelong love of reading.
