Reading: A Fundamental Life Skill

Reading is unarguably a fundamental life skill. Forming the bedrock of knowledge acquisition and personal development, it is not just a pastime for book lovers; it is a means by which we access information, learn, and navigate the world. While reading for pleasure is undoubtedly important, reading for information should be emphasized in schools and at home, as it is arguably more critical for our personal and societal growth.

The Digital Age and the Importance of Information Reading

In today’s digital age, information is more abundant and accessible than ever before, and so too is the amount of well, nonsense. The ability to read for information has become paramount in being able to decipher fact from fiction, real news from the fake, and separate credible sources from misinformation. But in order to harness the information, individuals need the skills to find, evaluate, and synthesise content, to be able to make informed decisions.

Reading for Pleasure vs. Reading for Information

While reading for pleasure should not be undermined (fiction provides a wealth of benefits, a topic worthy of its own blog post), reading for information is increasingly crucial in today’s fast-paced world, and equips us to tackle real-world challenges. It empowers individuals to participate in informed civic discourse, make informed career choices, and solve complex problems in their professional and personal lives.

Reading is a Superpower

More akin to superpower than just a skill, reading equips us to navigate a complex world. While reading for pleasure is invaluable, reading for information is the backbone of our ability to learn, grow, and make informed decisions. It is a bridge to our future, and we must all play our part in prioritising teaching information reading skills, so that we can ensure the next generation is equipped to thrive in the digital age.

1 in 15 children and young people aged 8 to 18 do not own their own book

The Role of Schools and Education

While it is true that schools and the education sector have a significant responsibility, it is not wholly down to educators to foster a love of reading. I have fond memories of being read to as a child, but of course, that also meant that as well as having someone who had the time to read to me, I had access to books at home. The National Literacy Trust conducted research on book ownership in November 2022, and they found that "in 2022, 93.5% children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they have a book of their own at home, meaning 1 in 15 (6.5%) do not." They also considered the number of books children owned. They found "of those who said that they have books at home, over 1 in 5 (22.3%) had fewer than 10 books at home." At the time of writing, the nation is being held firmly in the grasp of a Cost of Living Crisis (which I think will be referred to in the future as 'the CoLC', but I digress) which no doubt has an effect on how many books a child owns. After all, as much as I love them, you can't eat books.

Whether or not you're an avid reader, it is undoubtedly one of the most important assets an individual can possess. Embracing reading as a fundamental life skill equips us to navigate the complexities of existence with insight. Let's flock to the libraries, put pressure on the government to ensure all schools have a library so students can borrow books. And let us cherish the power of reading (or being read to), for it is not merely an activity, but a lifelong companion guiding us towards understanding, connection, and fulfilment.