Fostering a love of reading.
Do you remember your favourite story as a child? Maybe it was a bedtime story that always made you feel happy and warm inside. I grew up in a household where books were treasured and shared. Studies have shown that children who grow up with books and a culture of reading in their household achieve better academically and are more likely to secure professional employment as adults.
As a child I struggled to learn to read but my parents continued to support and encourage me. I received books as presents and I was taught that books are to be treasured and enjoyed. By the age of 14 I became an avid reader. I devoured my mother’s “Mills and Boon” collection and at University I found a love of Ian Fleming’s “James Bond” novels. These are not arguably part of the “classical” literature that we are encouraged to value but they fostered a love of reading that would lead me to become an English Teacher!
Being a role model for our children is the best thing we can do. Not everyone is fortunate enough to grow up in a house full of books but we can encourage schemes where books are available to borrow from our local community hubs and services. We can value our libraries and encourage conversations about what we are reading as the norm. If children see the adults - that they look up to - valuing books from a very early age, they too will learn to value reading.
Research shows that reading for pleasure is also great for our mental wellbeing!
Share your reading journey with us! We would love to know how you fell in love with reading. What are your favourite books?
