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If you’ve been past our library at 2-8 recently you will have noticed that a wonderful transformation has begun to take place. This is thanks to Helen Argo who came to me with a fantastic plan to make the library an irresistible space, to re-organise it and to teach our children to value and respect books. Learning the mechanics of reading is a critical element of early childhood education and something which is carefully planned, tracked and monitored at 2-8. However, it is also increasingly important to develop children's interest in and enjoyment of reading as we know that this has many benefits. Cultural capital is gained through reading, better prosocial behaviours, improved academic attainment to name but a few, but time to read for pleasure and being read to is often scarce in our busy family lives with multiple studies evidencing a decline in children reading purely for the joy it brings.
An article in the TES this week suggests taking a two-pronged approach based on flexibility and direction. This means we need to carefully consider the environments that our children are growing up within the contexts of the books we choose to offer. Books that challenge avoid ‘comfort reading’ but if the challenge is too high children become disheartened and abandon the book. We need to offer choice and ensure that the books in our library are enticing texts that children can’t wait to read and become so engrossed in that they don’t want to put them down! This approach is in agreement with Professor Teresa Cremin’s (professor of education and co-director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre at The Open University) view that self-efficacy and respecting the rights and choices of the reader results in sustained motivation to read for recreation and the formation of a habit for life.
As with all learning, children need to see purpose, enjoyment and relevance in the books they read. We often find that younger children choose non-fiction books on topics of interest to them before finding fiction and that’s absolutely fine as choice is crucial in developing a love of reading. On that theme, Helen recently shared an excellent TED talk on our staff professional learning group which highlights the importance of ensuring our books are diverse and inclusive and don’t show a narrow version of the world Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED Talk. Helen is currently auditing the books to see which are still relevant and which need updating.
Professor Cremin’s research also highlighted the value of social approaches as opposed to reading being a solo activity and found significant benefits for sociability, interaction and communication, creating a community of readers and this included parents and teachers reading to children building bonds and providing opportunities for deep and meaningful conversations, reciprocity and authenticity. The power of reading for pleasure is irrefutable and we must do all we can to address its decline in our school and in wider society.
Here are some of the fabulous books we have in the library and will keep adding to in the future.
Do let us know of any suggestions for new books that might be favourites in your house and I hope that you can find some time for reading just for pure pleasure this weekend.
Best wishes,
