A recent poll conducted by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) has revealed that children are increasingly turning to audiobooks and podcasts for entertainment, with more children now enjoying listening to audio rather than reading for pleasure. This shift has prompted calls for audiobooks to be included in the new schools curriculum in England, in order to cater to the changing preferences of students.
According to the NLT, reading for pleasure has decreased to alarming levels, with just over one-third of children reporting that they enjoy reading in their free time. Boys, in particular, are less enthusiastic about books compared to girls, leading to a significant gender gap. However, more boys expressed enjoyment in listening to audio, suggesting that audiobooks could serve as a gateway to reading for pleasure for both genders.
Despite the rising popularity of audiobooks, some experts argue that listening to audiobooks should not replace the act of reading. Professor John Mullan of University College London believes that audiobooks lack the interactive and engaging aspects of reading, which can be more beneficial for children’s development.
Nonetheless, supporters of incorporating audiobooks into the curriculum, such as the children’s commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, emphasize the importance of providing children with diverse reading formats to cultivate a love for literature. Education stakeholders are calling on the government to consider the benefits of audiobooks in promoting literacy skills and encouraging children’s enjoyment of reading. As the government prepares to release an interim report on its curriculum and assessment review, there is a growing consensus among educators that leveraging children’s enthusiasm for audio formats could help address the nation’s reading crisis and foster a new generation of readers.
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