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Let’s Welcome The National Year of Reading 2026!
The National Year of Reading 2026 is a year long campaign with a mission to turn the tide on the steep decline in reading.
It is led by the DfE in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and its aim is for anyone and everyone to discover or rediscover the unique joy of reading.
We all know how much reading for pleasure can impact children’s life chances as well as their mental health, yet research by the National Literacy Trust shows that only 1 in 3 (34.6%) of 8 – 18 year olds enjoy reading in their free time. This is the lowest level the NLT have recorded in 19 years.
“We believe literacy is for everyone. We are committed to impacting as many lives as possible through the transforming power of literacy” NLT
What has caused such a decline in reading?
It doesn’t take too much thought to come up with possible explanations about why reading for pleasure has been so badly hit. Here are a few:
1. A curriculum that allows for little time for extras or deviation, therefore limiting the time and the mental space to read for enjoyment.
2. Lack of access to books. Very many children do not have their own books at home. The cost of living crisis has had a detrimental effect on this, as has the fact that as many as 1 in 4 primary schools in disadvantaged communities do not have a library.
3. Time. There are so many demands on children’s time outside of school, it seems they rarely have nothing to do. Interestingly there was an uplift in children’s reading enjoyment during the pandemic when they were forced to spend much more time at home.
4. Technology. Most people are aware of the more instant gratification from games and social media etc. which contribute to the fact that concentration levels are falling, not just for children and young people, but for very many of us. Of course, it’s not black and white; technology can also have positive effects and can be a way to encourage more reluctant readers.
What will the National Literacy Trust and the DfE offer?
There will be a yearlong programme of activity with two ‘Go all in together’ events planned for each term. These events will feature well-known authors and celebrities.
The NLT will be using their years of research to use and share what actually works for children and young people. They will be meeting children’s interests where they are and using these interests to encourage more meaningful reading experiences.
The first term’s events and resources will be based on what happens ‘In the room’.
The second term will widen this to ‘In the setting’.
And the third term will expand even more to ‘In the community’.
The events, training and resources will be free to access and available to use whenever suits a particular educator, class, school or setting.
The first ‘Go all in together’ event will be in February as part of National Storytelling Week (2 – 8 February). There will be workshops for early years, primary and secondary. Research shows that favourite songs and lyrics can be an effective way to engage children in both reading and writing for pleasure, so the theme is “Soundtrack your story”.
Early Years: Rhyme, rhythm and wriggles singalong and story time videos with poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko (Date coming soon)
Age 5 – 7: Building stories through sound with Annemarie Anang (3rd Feb, 9:30 -10am)
Age 7 – 11: Exploring stories through rap and rhythm with Alim Kamara (3rd Feb,11 – 11:45am)
Age 11 – 14: Uncovering how music and lyrics tell stories that matter with Jeffrey Boakye (4th Feb,10 – 10:45am)
To get involved, sign up at: National Literacy Trust | UK Literacy Charity
“There are so many things that need ‘fixing’ in our education system, but this is one we can all agree on as a priority. Let’s give it some welly this year, shout about the amazing benefits of reading and practice what we preach!” EuHu
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