ROSSALL NEWS

As parents, we are often told that reading is ‘the air we breathe’ in education, the fundamental element that unlocks every other subject. Yet, for many of us, the reality feels less like breathing and more like a battle. We worry when our children choose a screen over a paperback, or when they seem to be quietly ‘opting out’ of reading altogether.

This is not just a hunch; it is a documented trend. Recent data from the National Literacy Trust shows that reading enjoyment is at its lowest level since records began. Even more concerning, the 2024-25 figures show that daily reading has dropped to fewer than one in five children. If you feel like you are swimming against the tide, you are not alone. However, by shifting our approach from ‘instruction’ to ‘connection,’ we can transform reading from a domestic chore into a shared joy. Here are four research-backed strategies to help your child find their way back to the page.

Takeaway 1: It’s Not Just About ‘Books’ (The Quality over Quantity Rule)

One of the quickest ways to kill a child’s interest in reading is to imply that only certain types of texts count. We need to lower the pressure: literacy is happening everywhere. When we expand our definition of reading to include ‘texts that tempt’, magazines, graphic novels, comics, or even scrolling through football transfer stories, we validate our children’s existing interests as legitimate literacy acts.

Following a cookie recipe is a high-value reading activity because it requires precise decoding and yields a tasty, tangible reward. Whether it is a game manual, a cereal box, or a set of LEGO instructions, the focus should be on engagement, not the format.

"Concentrate on reading quality, it is not all about reading lots."

By embracing varied texts, we make reading a natural, low-stress part of daily life rather than a timed session that feels like an extension of an already busy school day.

- Mr David Clark, Deputy Head (Academic)

Read more of Mr Clark’s blog here.