It will come as no surprise that reading is important and, according to a study, children who read for pleasure more than once a week perform better at school than those who read less. Plus, children who read more also had a more proactive approach to their own learning. There is a lot of research that backs this up, but one report states that only 2% of parents read to their children every day. As reading can have such a big impact on a child’s academic learning and development, encouraging them to read is key, and this is something that can be done at school.

It’s not just literacy skills that are boosted by regular reading, but mathematical skills too. In fact, reading has been linked to improved cognitive development, empathy, concentration and higher levels of creativity, among other things. This is why it’s so important for teachers to encourage students to read as much as possible, especially reading for pleasure.

How to Encourage Students to Read

• Dedicate Time to Reading - You can encourage students to read by dedicating a set amount of time to reading. This will make reading part of their daily schedule, something they can expect and look forward to. You could also create a dedicated reading area, somewhere comfortable and quiet that really enables students to get lost in a book.

• Be a Role Model - It’s a lot easier to encourage students to read if you also read, so lead by example. Show students that you enjoy reading and that it’s a part of your regular day. If students see you reading, even if it’s a newspaper or a magazine, they are more likely to want to do the same.

• Reward Reading - As is the case with a lot of tasks, students are more likely to read if they are getting something in return, so reward them. This will show that there are benefits to reading and it will encourage them to read as much as possible, making it a lifelong skill and, eventually, a habit. For example, you could give students a treat after they have read a certain number of books.

• Let Students Choose the Book - Students are much more likely to be enthusiastic about reading a book that they want to read, so let them choose. A lot of students avoid reading because the text has been chosen by a parent or teacher, so give them some freedom, especially if they are really reluctant to read in the first place. Offer guidance in regards to the books that are appropriate for their reading level, but let them choose a story or subject matter that interests them.

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that come with encouraging students to read. Not only does it improve their reading abilities, but it can have a positive impact on all aspects of their education, as well as their cognitive abilities outside of the classroom.