Watch my speech on the value of reading for children
- Mar 5
- 1 min read
Reading to children exposes them to millions of words that differ substantially from everyday spoken language, as books contain a wider range of vocabulary, more complex sentence structures and richer narrative forms.
But the current state of children’s reading in this country is deeply concerning, with rates plummeting – and this cannot be detached from the increase in recreational screen use.
Children are being engrossed by addictive algorithms, swiping through TikTok rather than investing time and attention in a book.
That is why the government’s campaign to increase the number of children reading for pleasure must be accompanied by stronger measures to crack down on addictive social media platforms and children using phones in schools.
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