Reading For Pleasure (Part 1)

Quite simply, reading is the greatest gift that every parent can bestow upon their children. 

Okay, I'm an author, so you'd expect me to say that but I have performed at 3,000 schools, libraries and book festivals around Britain, Ireland, India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia, and I am absolutely convinced that reading for pleasure is the single-most important activity your child can do to improve achievement in school.

Reading increases vocabulary and imagination, improves knowledge and personal growth. Reading helps develop social and emotional skills. It increases self-esteem and fosters a higher level of empathy. Reading helps young people develop new perspectives and new strategies, and exposes them to different ideas and ways of thinking. And reading improves concentration.

Reading encourages problem solving, and studies have revealed that students who read at home do ‘significantly better’ across the entire curriculum – including almost 10% better in maths – than students who don’t read.

I'm trying to stay positive here, but there is nothing more frustrating than watching young children run excitedly out of school at 3pm, shouting "Mum, Mum, (or Dad, or grandparent, significant other or general care-giver) we met an author today, and it was awesome!" and the most influential adult in that young person's life (at that moment) says flatly, without looking up from the mobile phone, "Yeah, super. Here's your tablet. Amuse yourself." And that spontaneous, innocent bubble of pure joy and excitement is burst forever, leaving a deflated and dispirited shell of a child. It's not surprising then that those gadget-driven dopamine highs from i-phones, tablets and video games are so popular with youngsters nowadays - at least they're guaranteed a reaction.

Mums, dads, grandparents, signigificant others - do not let your child's spirit be candy-crushed because of your need to interact with your social media, rather than talk to your child. Ask them about their day, and take a real interest in what they tell you. Don't ask 'How was your day?' Ask them 'What was the best thing that happened today?' 'What was the most exciting moment?' or 'Tell me the funniest thing that happened today!' or even just 'What book did your teacher read to you today?' Or even better 'What book shall we read when we get home?' Give them that attention at 3pm, even for just 10 minutes, because once their excitement to share their day has gone, you ain't never getting it back again.

From business leaders and political figures to celebrities, sports stars and scientists, the world’s most successful people are high-volume readers. For them, reading is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life. 

So, regardless of demographics, reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success* - *Touchstone Research

Nothing less than children's life chances are at stake. Help them make more time to read.