Scholastic Values Reading in School and at Home
Through Scholastic Book Club, Book Fairs, Australian Standing Orders and Retail Outlets, we proudly promote independent reading to schools, parents and children. We understand how crucial independent reading is to children’s success and the importance of helping children to find the right books to get them excited about stories and information, to link their reading to fun, discovery and curiosity, and to promote the sheer joy that reading can bring.
Right now, and more than ever, reading occupies limited space for many children, often competing with gaming and technology. Also, many children have been impacted by the COVID pandemic that lead to school closures and disruptions. Some children started their first years of school without even stepping foot in a classroom. Despite the challenges, with continued partnerships, we can help all children learn to read and love to read, guiding them on their way to reach their greatest potential.
We know that children want to read. So, how do we get them there?
What the research tells us
Independent choice is key to keeping children engaged in reading.
• Children who choose their own books to read are five times more likely to read the whole book.
• When a young child gets excited about a story, they can read five books in a single day. An older reader can read several books in a week when they find a book that connects to their life and expands their world.
• When children want to read, they drive their own learning.
Children who have access to books at home do better in school.
• Having books in the home is more important than parents’ education levels as a marker for success in school.
• On average, students with more books at home have higher educational attainment achieving three years more schooling than children from bookless homes.
• On average, kids ages 6–17 report reading 23 books over the past year, yet frequent readers read nearly six times the number of books compared to infrequent readers.
There is a clear link between regular reading and social, emotional and physical health.
• The greater a child’s access to books, the more likely they can cultivate an appreciation for diverse experiences and develop empathy for others.
• Reading helps children feel more optimistic and see a world where they can reach higher and achieve their dreams.
• Just 30 minutes of reading is shown to have a measurable impact on physical health— significantly decreasing blood pressure and heart rate.
Schools and families will help children reach their greatest potential when they partner with Scholastic Australia!
Written by: Louise Camilleri
The Joy and Power of Reading: A Summary of Research and Expert Opinion. Bridges. L. (2014) New York: Scholastic.
https://www.scholastic.com/worldofpossible/assets/readingresearch.pdf
The Kids & Family Reading Report: 6th Edition (2017). New York: Scholastic.
https://oomscholasticblog.com/post/dick-robinson-value-reading
Dick Robinson on the Value of Reading. (21 October, 2014). In Scholastic On Our Minds Blog.
https://www.scholastic.com/content/corp-home/kids-and-family-reading-report.html
[1] http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/ReadingLeaders/KFRR/readaloud.asp
[2] http://www.readaloud.org/why.html
[3] https://www.rorri.org/importance-of-reading-aloud/
[4] https://www.getsmartoregon.org/importance-of-reading-aloud/
[5] http://www.pbs.org/parents/expert-tips-advice/2018/05/why-reading-aloud-to-kids-helps-them-thrive/
[6] http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/ReadingLeaders/KFRR/readaloud.asp
[7] http://www.pbs.org/parents/expert-tips-advice/2018/05/why-reading-aloud-to-kids-helps-them-thrive/