Priyanka Godbole • October 23, 2023 TopicsBook Clubs Book Fairs Kids & Family Reading Report teachers

Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report: Reading in the Lives of Children and Parents

The latest data from children ages 6–17, as collected for the 8th edition of the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report*, reconfirms that reading books for fun, as well as positive sentiment towards reading, decrease as kids grow up, with marked declines by age nine that do not rebound. This report has been tracking these reading attitudes and behaviours since 2010, finding both a long-term decline in frequent readers as well as a beneficial relationship between a child’s reading frequency and their own feelings of enjoyment.

Reading frequency and enjoyment, and the importance of access to books kids want and parent support in engaging young readers.
The growing battle for mind and culture share as participation in digital activities rises sharply.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on kids’ mental health and the role literacy plays in mental wellness.

Originally published by On Our Minds on September 11, 2023.

*The Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report™: 8th Edition is a national survey (United States) sharing the views of both kids and parents on reading books for fun and the influences that impact kids’ reading frequency and attitudes toward reading with 2023 unveiling the eighth edition. Visit https://www.scholastic.ca/readingreport/ to view the most recent Canadian report.