'Reading for pleasure' programs boost student academic achievement

‘Reading for pleasure’ programs boost student academic achievement

August 17, 2022

Sharing an article from Education Review which aligns so closely with our message here at Literacy for Boys and Literacy for Kids.

How ‘Reading for pleasure’ programs boost student academic achievement

An academic has called to mandate ‘reading for pleasure’ at school as a new study shows the correlation between reading enjoyment and academic performance.

Integrating 30 minutes a day of reading for pleasure in the classroom could improve student’s results, help them eliminate stress associated with testing and develop their readers’ identity.

According to lead study author and Associate Professor of the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education at the Australian Catholic University, Laura Scholes, reading for pleasure is vital to student learning and should be integrated into the curriculum.

“We need to have a reading for pleasure agenda in schools,” Scholes said.

“There is value in developing children’s enjoyment long term because it correlates with their reading outcomes and all of their learning across the curriculum as they progress through schooling.”

Currently, Australia’s education sector encourages students to read as much as they can, but hasn’t included reading for pleasure as part of the curriculum.

In her study, Scholes delved into the reading habits of primary school students and completed a comprehensive three-year study which revealed that boys weren’t as proficient in their reading skill development.

It also showed a correlation between the decline in reading achievement in the PISA test and the plummet in reading enjoyment over an 18-year period.

Following the study, Scholes has called to mandate reading for pleasure at a policy level, which would help support teachers through the task and develop their skills and resources.

She suggests that Australia should look at the UK model which focuses on having updated library collections in schools across the country, enabling all students to access and read what they are interested in.

“Children will have more opportunities to engage with the books that they love and have a broader repertoire of experiences as learners.”

In order to encompass reading for pleasure, schools will need to determine a structured time during the day where educators could share their love and passion for reading.

To make reading more engaging, teachers could read aloud to students, create lesson plans tailored to reading for pleasure as well as activities for the kids to talk about the books they are engaging with.

“We need to build a community of readers that involves teachers with high level knowledge of children’s literature, students, parents and the wider community.

“We urgently need a balance in developing reading skills and the will to read,” Scholes said.

In addition to linking reading for pleasure with academic achievement, the study also challenged the longstanding myth that boys prefer non-fiction, as a majority showed more interest in fictional books.

Summing Up

Research indicates a powerful correlation between students’ reading enjoyment, motivation and achievement. From my experience as a teacher, tutor and mum I know that kids’ reading interests vary widely. In advocating for access to great reading content, student choice and improved literacy skills we developed online programs with these goals in mind.

To quote one of our 13-year-old students (who is using Literacy for Kids at her school):

“Hi. I’m a 13 teen year old girl and I’m in high school Grade 7. I love this website because it challenges you to be the best you can possibly be.” (Hannah)

Here are some tips to bring a love of reading into every child’s life.

Model good reading behaviour.
Read together before bedtime.
Utilise your Teacher Librarian ~ I find their help invaluable! At home, get a library card & use the library app to reserve books ahead of time (a great time saver).
Read what they read. A brilliant strategy ~ listen to my interview with ABC Canberra Radio where I covered this:
Activities, such as e-book loans and virtual story times.
All reading is good reading.
Create a reading nook.
Read with friends.

Looking for a program to engage and further improve your learners’ literacy levels?

Literacy for Boys and Literacy for Kids have been adopted in over 50 schools around Australia, NZ, and the Asia Pacific. Contact us for a FREE trial in your school. See for yourself how our engaging programs are boosting literacy levels in the next generation!