Study Finds Large Decline in Reading in Older Kids

-- Publishers Weekly, 6/14/2006

Children age 5-17 like to read books, but they read significantly less after the age of eight, a report sponsored by Scholastic found. According to the study, the “Kids and Family Reading Report,” 92% of kids say they like to read for fun, but while 44% of children age 5-8 were classified as high frequency readers, that number falls to 16% by ages 15-17. Forty-six percent of 15-17 year olds are low frequency readers. High frequency readers are defined as kids who read a book every day; low frequency readers read no more than 2-3 times per month.

One reason for the drop-off, the study found, was the poor role models parents set as readers. Only 21% of parents are frequent readers. Scholastic’s Lisa Holton said that even if parents don’t read more themselves, they should help encourage the reading habit by continuing to read to their children after the age of eight and by helping to make book recommendations. Parents ranked as second as the best source for book ideas among high frequency readers, topped only by librarians. Book suggestions are important to reading, since the number one reason kids reported that they don’t read more is because they can’t find books they like to read. “Parents may be underestimating the difficulty kids have finding books they like,” observed Hal Quinley from Yankelovich, the firm the conducted the study. Other top reasons for not reading are other things to do and too much schoolwork and/or homework.

The study also found that 41% of children have used a technology device to read a book. While the report broadly defines such a device as an e-book, the types of platforms used to read ranged from a computer (23%), iPod (5%) and other (17%).

Holton said Scholastic may do a follow-up study in three to five years to chart changes in kids’ reading.