Latest news update

Survey finds dads are becoming ‘once upon a time’ bedtime story readers

The vital role of dads in bedtime reading is under threat, new research by the National Year of Reading has revealed. Less than half of dads (42 per cent) say they regularly read bedtime stories to their children, while mums are twice as likely (76 per cent) to do so, despite bedtime reading being one of the best ways of establishing the reading habit in children.

Work pressures including stress and long hours were the main barrier for 58 per cent of dads, while a lack of confidence meant one in ten felt the role was better suited to mums. Boys are falling behind girls when it comes to reading* (PIRLS, 2007) and more male readers as role models would help redress this.

The study of over 2,000 adults was conducted by the National Year of Reading and YouGov as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the pressures dads face and the impact this has on children’s reading habits.

Some of the main findings to come out of the research also show that:

• Watching TV is the most common pre-sleep habit amongst children, followed by a bedtime story, then playing on the computer
• 39 per cent of dads think a better work / life balance would help them read more to their children
• One third (33 per cent) of dads think employers should do more to help parents read to their kids

A recent report conducted by the National Literacy Trust also found that while three-quarters of children said their mum encouraged them to read, only half said the same of their dad. Disconcertingly, nearly a quarter of pupils stated that no-one in their family encouraged them to read.

Honor Wilson-Fletcher, project director of the National Year of Reading, said:

“ Reading has never been more important, but we know boys lag far behind girls when it comes to reading. Boys need to see their dads enjoying reading if they are to become readers themselves as they grow up. Football programmes, blogs, newspapers and sports magazines are just as valuable reading as fairy tales. Reading is the best private investment you can make in your child’s education, it’s free and makes you feel like the best parent on earth. Just spending ten minutes a day reading something you enjoy with your children can make a real difference.”

Secretary of State for Schools, Children and Families Ed Balls said:

“ Reading opens doors to everything in life, from applying to jobs to enjoying your favourite hobbies. Getting your children - both boys and girls – to be passionate about reading is something all parents can do. Reading to your children for ten minutes at bedtime is the best way of improving our kids’ chances when they get to school.”

(National Year of Reading, 9 April 2008)

New reading website for teens
To engage with the national conversation about reading for the 2008 National Year of Reading, Piczo.com has set up dedicated webpages for teenagers to discuss books, reading and words. Visit www.readup.piczo.com/?cr=5

Although this site is uncensored, a record of individual computers used to contribute is monitored and Piczo take online security extremely seriously. So much so that they have advised Government on best practice relating to online security around children. The NLT is not responsible for the content of external websites.


National Year of Reading Read Up, Fed Up report
To kick off the 'national conversation about reading' the National Year of Reading has conducted some research with children age 11 to 14, through social networking website Piczo.com, into their reading habits. Download a summary of the Read Up, Fed Up report.

March 2008

Young people reading more broadly than ever - new research by the NLT

Boys and guns... and books? Article by Dr Peter West

February 2008

Young people's self-perception as readers
In 2007, the National Literacy Trust conducted a survey of pupils in 29 primary and secondary schools in England. Some of the key questions revolved around the reader self-concept. To what extent do young people see themselves as readers? What does it mean to be a reader? What are the characteristics typically assigned to readers and what materials does a reader enjoy? And how do readers and non-readers differ in their perception of these? More information on young people's self-perception research

January 2008

Reading Champions blog and future events notice board
Each Reading Champions school now has its own blog and future events notice board. Schools can use the blog to report on the Champion activity that has taken place in the school. The blogging facility is a way to showcase and celebrate successes and lessons learnt by schools as they develop their male reading culture. It also helps the Reading Champions team to identify examples of best practice. In addition, each school has its own future events notice board. This gives schools the opportunity to advertise the activities that they have got coming up. To locate a school’s blog or future events notice board, click on Search Champions in your area and follow the prompts on screen.