Reading Strategy 2022-23 Why Reading Matters Why do we believe reading matters so much? Reading is a fundamental skill that has a profound impact on our lives. Not only does it develop our understanding of literacy, but changes the way our brains work, how we relate to and communicate with other people, and how we understand the world. Research suggests that learning to read and reading for pleasure can influence a child’s academic success, vocabulary development, mental health, ability to empathise, accept other cultures and can even improve life expectancy. Whilst these factors affect the individual, the economic impacts of reading within society means that reading matters to everyone (DfE 2021). At Gatley Primary School, we believe that reading is at the core of all learning and should be enjoyed. Our carefully designed curriculum offer recognises and promotes the value of reading across subject disciplines to ensure that all pupils are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in life. What does the research say about reading and life chances? Research suggests that one’s reading ability is predictive of attainment within education and throughout life. In their 2019 study, Mulcahy et al determined that individuals with ‘functional literacy’ levels are:
more likely to gain employment, less likely to exhibit behavioural problems and delinquency less likely to offend, be incarcerated and develop a habit of lifelong offending more likely to achieve qualifications or receive work based training or promotion less likely to have low levels of psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction
Morevover, The Reading Agency’s report (2015) showed that the advantages of reading for pleasure exceed academic success, and increase levels of empathy, social cohesion and knowledge of other cultures. What does the research say on language development and vocab? The National Reading Panel (NICHD, 2000) identified vocabulary as one of five major components of reading. Learning to read fosters children’s vocabulary far beyond the island of the spoken word and, through exposure to written texts, children are presented with greater opportunities for language development. Researchers in the United States explored the impact of early reading on vocabulary acquisition. They identified that children from literacy-rich homes hear a cumulative 1.4 million more words during storybook reading than children who are never read to. The different levels of reading shown below demonstrate the significant impact of reading on language development and vocabulary acquisition. Reading Diet Never read to 1–2 times per week 3–5 times per week Daily Five books a day
Words 4,662 words; 63,570 words 169,520 words 296,660 words 1,483,300 words
The only effective route to closing this gap is for children to be taught systematically to read as soon as they start school. Children who become engaged in reading can make significant progress in their