A crisis in reading enjoyment is threatening to undermine literacy rates, and it's not just a problem in one country. The prestigious Booker Prize, known for its literary excellence, has introduced a new category for children's books, offering a substantial prize and an opportunity to celebrate outstanding fiction. But will this be enough to reverse the worrying trend of declining reading habits among young people?
The Children's Booker Prize aims to recruit child judges alongside adults to decide on the winning story, with the potential to inspire and engage a new generation of readers. However, this initiative comes at a time when surveys reveal a disturbing decline in reading pleasure among children, both in the UK and Australia.
In Australia, despite numerous prestigious book prizes for children's authors, reading enjoyment remains a barrier to literacy. The National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results indicate that while many students are meeting expectations, a significant number require additional support, and the reasons for this are complex and varied.
The issue of recreational reading has become a focal point for governments and the publishing industry. Research suggests that an overemphasis on skills and testing, combined with the allure of screens, is deterring children from reading for pleasure. Instead, encouraging reading enjoyment should be the priority, as evidenced by a report from the National Institute of Education in Singapore.
The report outlines six key principles for literacy success, none of which are curriculum-based. These principles emphasize agency, access to literature, daily reading routines, reflection, social interaction, and developing a positive reading identity. When young people choose to read regularly, they not only become better readers but also experience improved academic performance and enhanced well-being and social cognition.
Literary prizes play a role in promoting "good books" and providing a seal of approval, but enticing young people to read requires a collaborative effort. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and public intellectuals must work together to promote reading for enjoyment. The social dimension of reading is crucial, as stories provide spaces for connection and shared experiences.
Research highlights the intensely social nature of reading, with humans loving to connect over stories. A study by New Zealand scholars found that agency, choice, and the opportunity to discuss stories with others are key motivators for reading enjoyment. Reading not only improves literacy and numeracy skills but also fosters curiosity and empathy.
Literary prizes that encourage reading are valuable, but they are not the sole solution. It will take a community of book-loving adults to increase reading enjoyment among children and, in turn, boost literacy rates. So, let's make reading fun again and create a generation of avid readers!
