Developing Love for
Reading
Objectives:
• Identify the role of children’s literature in
developing love for reading
• Enumerate different ways of sharing stories
to young readers
• Appreciate the concept of development of
book and print orientation skills
Children's literature
Refers to books and other
written works that are
specifically created for children
and young readers. This
includes picture books, chapter
books, middle-grade novels,
young adult novels, and more.
Role of children's
literature in
developing love for
reading
DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN READING
When children are introduced to books at an early
age, they develop an interest in reading, which can
help them develop important literacy skills, improve
their vocabulary, and expand their knowledge and
understanding of the world around them.
FOSTER CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION
Reading books can also
foster creativity and
imagination in children,
allowing them to
explore new ideas and
experiences.
DEVELOP EMPATHY
Children's literature
can help children
develop empathy and
understanding
towards different
cultures, beliefs, and
perspectives.
National Literacy Trust
Found that children who
were read to daily
from an early age had
a larger vocabulary
and better reading
comprehension than
children who were not
read to regularly.
University of
Edinburgh found
that reading for
pleasure in
childhood has a
positive impact on
cognitive skills and
can have a lasting
effect on academic
achievement.
Ways of sharing stories to young readers
Storytelling
Reading aloud
This involves a
reader reading the
story aloud to the
child, helping to
improve their
listening skills and
build their
vocabulary.
Storytelling
This involves
telling the story
orally without
reading it from a
book.
Picture books
Picture books include
illustrations that
help to engage
children's
imagination and
make the story
more accessible.
Interactive Books
Interactive books are
books that require
the reader to
participate in the
story. This can
include lifting flaps,
turning wheels, or
pressing buttons.
Digital Books
Digital books can
include
animations,
sound effects, and
interactive
elements that
make the story
more engaging.
Development of book and
print orientation skills
The development of book and print orientation
skills refers to the process by which young
children learn to understand the basic features
and functions of written language, including
the organization of text on a page, the direction
of reading and writing (left-to-right and top-to-
bottom in English), and the purpose of
different print elements such as letters, words,
sentences, and punctuation marks.
Research has shown that children
who develop strong book and print
orientation skills are more likely to
become successful readers and
writers later in life (Snow, Burns, &
Griffin, 1998).
Parents and educators can help support
the development of these skills in a
variety of ways, such as reading books
aloud with children, pointing out print
elements and features during shared
reading activities, and encouraging
children to engage with written
language in everyday contexts.
References:
Bus, A. G., & Van IJzendoorn, M. H. (1999). Phonological awareness and early reading: A meta-analysis of experimental
training studies. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(3), 403–414. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.91.3.403
Clark, C., & Rumbold, K. (2006). Reading for pleasure: A research overview. National Literacy Trust. Retrieved from
https://literacytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/reading_for_pleasure.pdf
Cunningham, A. E., & Stanovich, K. E. (1998). What reading does for the mind. American Educator, 22(1-2), 8-15.
Melhuish, E. C., Phan, M. B., Sylva, K., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I., & Taggart, B. (2008). Reading for pleasure and
cognitive development: A longitudinal study. Oxford Review of Education, 34(3), 365-383. doi:
10.1080/03054980802284354
Mol, S. E., & Bus, A. G. (2011). To read or not to read: A meta-analysis of print exposure from infancy to early
adulthood. Psychological Bulletin, 137(2), 267-296. doi: 10.1037/a0021890
National Literacy Trust. (2018). Children’s reading and writing habits in 2018. Retrieved from
https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/childrens-reading-and-writing-habits-2018/
Sénéchal, M., & LeFevre, J. A. (2002). Parental involvement in the development of children's reading skill: A five-year
longitudinal study. Child Development, 73(2), 445-460. doi: 10.1111/1467-8624.00417
Sullivan, A., & Brown, M. (2015). Reading for pleasure and progress in vocabulary and mathematics. British Educational
Research Journal, 41(6), 971-991. doi: 10.1002/berj.3183
