Why reading for pleasure matters, and why literacy skills must come first
Education Lead Julie Taylor writes:
The Children’s Literacy Charity recently submitted evidence to the Education Select Committee as part of its Call for Evidence on Reading for Pleasure. While a love of reading underpins all of The Children’s Literacy Charity’s work, it is through the support of our expert tutors that pupils in our Labs develop the reading fluency and confidence needed to access, engage with, and enjoy books.
Reading for pleasure brings wide-ranging benefits for babies, children, and young people. From the earliest years, shared reading supports emotional bonding, early language development and attention, while creating positive associations with books that can last a lifetime. As children grow, reading for pleasure plays a crucial role in expanding vocabulary, strengthening comprehension, building empathy, supporting learning across the curriculum, and improving confidence and mental wellbeing.
However, National Literacy Trust research shows a worrying decline in children’s enjoyment of reading. Only around one-third of children and young people aged 8–18 say they enjoy reading in their free time, and fewer than one in five read daily, the lowest levels recorded in almost two decades. These figures highlight the fact that reading for pleasure is not equally accessible to all.
For many children, particularly those who are disadvantaged or have additional needs, if they do not have those secure foundational reading skills, reading for pleasure is unattainable. Without accurate decoding, fluency, and comprehension, reading remains slow and challenging, leaving little cognitive space for enjoyment. In these circumstances, reading can become a source of frustration rather than pleasure.
Children cannot read for pleasure if they cannot read fluently. For children who are already experiencing difficulties with reading, specialist literacy support is vital.
By securing the essential literacy skills first, we give children the confidence and independence they need to engage with books, develop positive reading identities, and experience reading as something enjoyable rather than a chore.
When we succeed in closing the literacy gap, reading for pleasure can flourish, helping to narrow the attainment gap, support wellbeing, and open up life chances for every child.
