Published on: 15 June 2017

Last Saturday we hosted the state conference for the Primary English Teaching Association of WA. The title of the conference was the Power of Reading. As a parent and educator the power of reading is obvious. Reading unlocks most other learning areas/skills and is a nice, positive way of spending leisure time.

The one piece of research that captured my attention was the link between reading for pleasure and academic achievement. It has been confirmed that there is no stronger effect for academic success than reading for pleasure in childhood (8 years old) and still reading for pleasure in adolescence (14 years old). The results are not surprising, however this being the strongest effect by some way was significant with socio-economic status, gender, parent education levels and all other factors all registering as far less influential.

So how do we engage children in reading for pleasure?

The recommendations are simple:

  1. Allow children to choose their own books/materials
  2. Make sure children have access to books
  3. Allow and encourage reading for pleasure often and talk about the material
  4. Encourage a set reading time
  5. Encourage activities that require reading (recipes, instructions, reference books)
  6. Model reading for pleasure to your children

I would also add that children of any age love being read to. Don’t think that because a child now knows how to read they would not appreciate snuggling up to mum or dad and enjoying a story!

Richard Wright
Head of the LW Parry Preparatory School