Campaign launched to keep children reading

1 hour ago

Carmelo Garcia,Local Democracy Reporting Serviceand

Maisie Lillywhite,Gloucestershire

News image — Children are more likely to associate reading with schoolwork as they get older, Gloucestershire's Year of Reading said

Submitted A child lies on a fuchsia bean bag. She has a stripey jumper, white and blue striped dress, and shoes on as she reads The Mog Treasury - the book is completely obscuring her head. She is resting her feet on a blue bean bag. The bean bags are on a floral rug, which has been placed on a bright blue carpet. — Children are more likely to associate reading with schoolwork as they get older, Gloucestershire's Year of Reading said

A Year of Reading has been launched after a study found many children lose interest in books as they get older.

Gloucestershire County Council has launched the county's Year of Reading to try and get more children enjoying reading and doing it well.

Libraries, schools and bookshops have agreed to support the campaign by providing accessible activities and resources for schools, young people and their families.

Linda Cohen, education and skills cabinet member, said: "We want to encourage everyone in our communities to get involved, making time to enjoy reading and giving children and young people the opportunity to discover the books that they will love."

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Charities Read With Me, Read for Good, and Cheltenham Festivals are joining the council in the project.

One of the largest listening exercises on reading attitudes in Gloucestershire was commissioned prior to the project launching, Gloucestershire's Year of Reading said.

6,615 Gloucestershire children and young people spanning reception-age to post-16 were interviewed as part of the research.

It found as children get older, reading is more likely to be associated with schoolwork than pleasure.

While more than three-quarters of children in the early years report positive feelings about reading, there is a decline of interest between Year seven and Year nine.

'Build on the foundations'

Cohen said the campaign "builds on the great tradition of reading in Gloucestershire".

"Reading is the key to so much, it broadens our horizons, develops curiosity and is proven to make us happier."

A spokesperson for the project said the aim is to "build on the foundations already in place to make Gloucestershire a county of reading".

"We want to see an increase in how much children are reading; and a tangible improvement in how supported teachers feel, with regard to improving children's reading," they said.

"However this isn't just about schools, it is vitally important that there is a real focus on supporting families who will underpin the success of this project and allow us to effect real change."