Reading for Pleasure
The Reading Agency commissioned a review that looked into the link between reading for pleasure and empowerment. Reading for pleasure was found to impact in all of the below areas:
(Literature Review: The impact of reading for pleasure and empowerment, The Reading Agency, June 2015)
Ways to promote Reading for Pleasure
Dedicated time – identify a few minutes a day to create a reading habit.
Read yourself – show that reading for pleasure is for adults as well.
Read to each other – reading together not only allows you to spend quality time together, you can develop their confidence of reading aloud (fluency) question them about what they have read and get them to predict what will happen next (comprehension). Reading to a younger sibling will support both children with their reading ability.
All reading is good reading – all reading is important for a child’s progression. Whether it is non-fiction, a comic, a football programme or a cookbook. All reading contributes to reading comprehension. They key is to vary genres and authors to encounter new vocabulary.
Set a challenge – can they read 3 books in one month? Can they read a book from six different genres? Can you read for 20 minutes without looking at your phone? Can you learn the meaning of 1 new word per week?
Audiobooks – audiobooks are a great way to introduce a book above your child's reading level. Listening to a story over and over again can improve vocabulary and encourage deeper comprehension of future texts.
Film Vs Book – use your child’s favourite films to engage them in reading. Knowing the characters and storyline can be a helpful bridge into reading a longer story. Discussions can then take place around the differences between the film and book and which one was better.
Book club – find out about book clubs in school and in your local area; the library is a great place to start with our local libraries offering groups such as chatterbooks and book worms.
https://www.better.org.uk/what-we-offer/libraries/activities/book-clubs