Literacy Lab at the University of Edinburgh launches new paper on the Future of Books and Reading
The Literacy Lab at the University of Edinburgh has today launched a new paper on children’s reading for pleasure, The Future of Books and Reading. This collaborative paper brings together expertise from across the higher education, literacy charity, library, education, publishing, festival and museum sectors to address the concerning decline in reading enjoyment and engagement among children and young people.
So, what can we do to foster a love of reading? The paper outlines eight key areas where we can make a real difference, from policy changes to partnerships in publishing. It calls for better professional support for educators, more diverse and accessible reading materials, and new ways to promote reading that connect with individual interests.
We're especially excited that the paper highlights Book Squad as a key resource for teachers looking to boost personal reading engagement in their classrooms, and our research into the impact of reading aloud: ‘Stories and Choices’, and ‘Storytime in School’.
Key Insights for Primary Educators
The paper identifies five central themes that can guide our approach to supporting young readers:
Enjoy: Children state that having more choice, less judgment, and making reading more social are crucial for their reading enjoyment. While special events like World Book Day celebrate reading, the paper emphasises that "reading for fun needs to be embedded within schools and homes, not just feature once a year."
Engage: Reading engagement includes behavioural, cognitive, affective, and social elements—all essential for positive development. Research shows that reading to children beyond the early years has a meaningful impact on their reading enjoyment, and providing choice is a key factor for increasing engagement.
Empower: Skills and motivation should be addressed in combination—interventions focusing on both reading skills and motivation are more effective than those focusing on skills alone. Ensuring diverse representation in reading materials helps all children feel valued and recognised.
Enrich: Reading offers diverse wellbeing benefits including positive emotions, connection, and personal growth. Supporting young people in choosing stories that are personally meaningful enhances their understanding of themselves and others.
Expand: We need to expand our definition of "reading" to meet children where they are. Many already engage with stories in diverse ways that might be overlooked in traditional literacy contexts.
Practical Applications for Your Classroom
This paper is packed with insights that you can bring directly into your classroom. Here are a few ways primary school teachers can implement the findings:
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Make reading social: Engage children through book clubs, paired reading and shared experiences.
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Expand what counts as reading: Remember that magazines, song lyrics, and digital texts are also valuable reading materials that can spark enjoyment.
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Embed reading for fun: Make reading for pleasure a daily or weekly activity, not just a once-a-year event during World Book Day, and continue reading aloud throughout primary school, not just in early years.
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Focus on 'skill and will': Implement teaching strategies that develop both reading abilities and the motivation to read, helping students build confidence and find joy in books.
Join the Reading Revolution!
This paper provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we can all work together to create a future where everyone loves to read. It’s full of insights that can inform your classroom practice and inspire new ideas.
For more information on the research paper and additional resources, visit the University of Edinburgh's Literacy Lab website.