Book-lovers everywhere can look forward to upcoming events this week as we prepare to celebrate National Read a Book Day on 6 September, followed by International Literacy Day on 8 September. These annual events are dedicated to promoting literacy as a right that every individual is entitled to – and reading as a pleasure that everyone can enjoy!
The importance of reading
People have been sharing stories since language first began. Stories have the extraordinary power to transport us to a different place and time, where we can escape the confines of reality and embrace new worlds. By offering us a glimpse into the lives of others, books give us the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions, learn from new perspectives, and find solace and inspiration at the times we need it most.
But reading is much more than a simple pleasure; it’s also a powerful tool to promote cognitive development and personal growth. Research shows that between the ages of 10 and 16, children who read for pleasure make more progress in maths, vocabulary, and spelling than those who rarely read. In fact, the impact of reading for pleasure is around four times greater than that of having a parent with a post-secondary degree. Moreover, reading for pleasure is associated with higher levels of self-esteem and resilience. It fosters greater empathy by inviting readers to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, advancing their social and emotional growth.
How to celebrate reading
National awareness days offer us a great opportunity to celebrate reading and communicate its importance, both to pupils and the wider school community. This is one of the first steps you can take towards building a reading culture, which is essential for every child to see themselves as a reader.
For example, on National Read a Book Day, you could encourage pupils to write a book review, or make a book recommendation to a friend and outline the reasons why they chose it. Alternatively, children could create a book web to show the links between books they have read, or even write the opening chapter to a sequel!
In order to embed a strong reading culture, it’s important to ensure that reading is celebrated every day of the year – not just on special occasions. So how can you make reading for pleasure a priority in your school?
- Develop a book-led curriculum
Consider how you can place quality texts at the heart of everything you do. Books are an incredible learning resource, so think about how you can use them to support learning in each curriculum area. Remember to make links between different texts and subjects, including across year groups.
- Make time and space
During a busy school day, there’s a risk that reading for pleasure can be crowded out by other subjects. Think about how you can make reading for pleasure a priority in your timetable. Is there time for independent reading, as well as time for teachers to regularly read aloud to the class? Consider how books can be celebrated at other times throughout the school day, such as in assemblies and other shared activities.
- Review your book stock
Investigate your book collection. Does it reflect a wide range of hobbies and interests? Are texts accessible for all pupils? Moreover, are children able to see themselves in the characters and authors of the stories they’re reading? These are questions you should consider to help you eliminate any possible barriers to reading for pleasure.
- Listen to pupil voice
Everyone can be a reader – it’s not just an activity for children who enjoy reading alone, or those working at greater depth. However, children may have misconceptions about reading and what makes someone a “reader.” Find out what your pupils think about reading and use this to inform your teaching. It can help you to raise awareness that there’s more than one way to enjoy a good book!
- Be a role model
Being seen as a reader yourself is a great way to inspire pupils to embark on their own reading journey. Sharing recommendations and bonding over stories is one of the many benefits that reading has to offer! Consider how other staff throughout the school feel about reading. How can you build up their confidence and their knowledge of children’s literature?
- Build a reading community
Celebrating reading for pleasure shouldn’t be confined to the school day. Ensure that parents and carers have the support they need to get involved. This might mean holding workshops to raise awareness about the importance of reading, organising book fairs and trips to the local library, and even creating opportunities for families to read together in school.
We hope you enjoy immersing yourselves in the pleasures of reading this #NationalReadABookDay and #InternationalLiteracyDay. Let’s continue to celebrate the written word throughout the school year and inspire a love of reading that lasts a lifetime!
Want to learn more about embedding strong practice in reading and literacy? Join our Literacy Leader Network on 17 October 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity for Literacy and English leaders to work alongside their peers, exploring new research and DfE updates alongside our course facilitators.
Alternatively, you can work towards the One Education Reading Award, supporting your school with expert guidance, criteria and resources to help you celebrate reading every day of the year.
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