Scholastic releases its latest Kids and Family Reading Report.
Scholastic released the results of its Kids and Family Reading Report, a biennial national survey of children and parents reading habits and attitudes toward reading and books.
This seventh edition of the survey finds a large drop in reading—and enjoyment of reading—between age eight and nine. Also, fewer children between eight to nine said "yes" when asked if reading for fun was important.
In more positive news, the survey showed more children and parents seeking books with diverse characters and storylines. And while more kids are looking for something to read that makes them laugh, a larger percentage is also seeking titles to help them explore new worlds and learn about new topics.
Once again, access to books was a key factor in reading frequency, and children reported their favorite books were the ones they chose for themselves.
Read Scholastic's full press release, with access to the complete report, here:
Scholastic Biennial Survey Reveals Young Readers Face Challenges In Finding Their Stories Kids & Family Reading Report™: 7th Edition explores how reading helps children navigate the world, the importance of diversity in characters and storylines, the impact of book access & reading role models and more News provided by Mar 19, 2019, 09:00 ET NEW YORK, March 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL ), the global children's publishing, education and media company, today released results from the seventh edition of its Kids & Family Reading Report™ , a biennial national survey of parents' and children's reading attitudes and behaviors. Those surveyed include more than 1,000 pairs of children ages 6–17 and their parents, as well as 678 parents of kids ages 0–5. The research reveals the diversity parents and children seek in books, explores how reading helps children understand their world and indicates the importance of book access and reading role models. To download the full report, visit www.scholastic.com/readingreport . "For more than a decade, the Kids & Family Reading Report has helped us understand what kids and parents want and need from books. This seventh edition highlights the importance of children feeling seen and heard, and acknowledges the social-emotional value of reading. The child with access to reading is a child better prepared to navigate the challenges of an unpredictable future," said Richard Robinson, Scholastic CEO and Chairman. "What is striking in this year's report, however, is how many children are losing their connection to books and reading at a relatively early age. If we are to turn around the decline in children's reading frequency at age 8 and 9, and reignite their love for reading, we must continue the critical work of connecting kids with stories that spark their innate curiosity, in whatever format they prefer." Finding Their Story: A Precarious "Decline by Nine" The study found the percentage of kids defined as frequent readers (reading books for fun 5–7 days a week) drops from 57% among 8-year-olds to 35% among 9-year-olds. The data also shows a drop between ages eight and nine in the number of kids who say they love reading (from 40% to 28%), as well as the percentage of kids who think reading books for fun is important (from 65% to 57%). The Kids & Family Reading Report has shown a child's attitude towards reading enjoyment and importance is a predictor of reading frequency, which makes the trends in this year's report so striking. Reading helps kids navigate the world. The vast majority of parents (88%) believe that reading fiction and nonfiction is a good way for their child to better understand the world. Three in four children agree. More than half of kids (53%) and parents (55%) also agree a book has helped them or their child through a difficult time. Nevertheless, the data cited above shows that a young reader's journey is at risk. Families expect more from children's books . In the past two years, both kids and parents are less likely to say that when picking a children's book to read for fun, the type of book doesn't matter, it just has to be a good story (down 17 points among kids; 21 points among parents).
"It is worrisome that the Kids & Family Reading Report shows us that many kids are losing their connection to reading when they need it most, in third grade. But the research also has a powerful message from kids that they want to read, but not just any book," said Lauren Tarshis, SVP & Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of Scholastic Magazines and author of the bestselling I Survived series. "I am constantly inspired to see how kids are ready and eager to engage in stories that will open their eyes and their hearts and challenge them to think in new ways. We must help kids find fascinating, meaningful stories about relatable characters." Finding Their Story: Diversity in Children's Books in Demand The survey underscores the importance of diversity and how broadly it is defined. A majority of parents and a near majority of kids ages 9–17 say diversity in children's books includes people and experiences different than their own – representations of various cultures, customs, religions, settings and living situations. For others, diversity in children's books includes differently-abled people, people of color and LGBTQ people.
According to Andrea Davis Pinkney, VP, Executive Editor at Scholastic, bestselling children's book author and Coretta Scott King Book Award winner, "The Kids & Family Reading Report puts even more power behind our belief that diversity in books matters. When kids don't see books that reflect diverse experiences, they're not emboldened to expand their thinking. But when a young reader finds a story that positively reflects his or her own story -- or presents the stories of people not like themselves -- that child becomes encouraged to read more. This has a direct impact on how kids view their place in the world, and helps them develop empathy and open-mindedness. Tomorrow's leaders need to see themselves in books. The report empowers us to help kids do that." Finding Their Story: Access matters The report shows clear parallels between access to books and reading role models and kids' reading frequency.
"Parents, grandparents, older siblings, teachers, principals—everyone in a child's life—can be a reading role model. It's up to us all to provide the opportunity for choice, be readers ourselves, ask and answer questions about what a child is reading, read aloud together (regardless of age!), and more," said Michael Haggen, Chief Academic Officer for Scholastic Education. "When a child knows that the people surrounding them value reading, we will have a greater culture of literacy in our homes and in our schools." Background on the Kids & Family Reading Report™ The Kids & Family Reading Report is a biennial report from Scholastic and is managed by the independent research firm YouGov. Results are from a nationally representative survey with a total sample size of 2,758 parents and children, including 678 parents of children ages 0-5; 1,040 parents of children ages 6-17; plus one child age 6–17 from the same household. The survey was conducted between September 6, 2018 and October 4, 2018. The first installment of the seventh edition focused on the rising prevalence and awareness of reading aloud with children. A forthcoming installment will focus on summer reading. For the full methodology and reports, see www.scholastic.com/readingreport. SOURCE Scholastic Related Links |
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