Why do children read?
According to a recent survey by the National Assessment of Educational Development (NAEP) in the US, the percentage of children aged 9-13 who read for pleasure has significantly decreased.
Specifically, from 1984 to 2019, the number of 9-year-olds who read for pleasure each day decreased from over 50% in 1984 to 42% in 2019. Among high school students, the percentage who regularly read for pleasure dropped to 17%, while the number who rarely or never read tripled.
The data from the US, however, can still be used as a reference for the current reading habits of children in Vietnam. The main reasons students currently read are requirements from their subjects, instructions from teachers, and assignments. Because reading has become a mandatory task, the joy of reading has disappeared. Even if the assignment only requires reading a passage, students will only read that specific passage and then close the book.
The pressure from school might prompt students to pick up a book and read, but it doesn't necessarily bring them joy from reading. Furthermore, the stimulation from electronic devices makes books boring and feel like a burden, both literally and figuratively. The aforementioned 17% figure is a sad truth.
Clearly, reading goals determine the types of books children read.
To meet their learning needs, textbooks and reference books are currently the most common resources for students, especially high school students.
With the goal of entertainment, comics currently dominate other types of books due to their attractiveness, diverse themes and content, numerous illustrations, and importantly, "few words," making them readable even at the second-grade level. Besides the modest market share of Vietnamese comics, the majority of comics on the market originate from foreign countries, with Japanese comics being the most numerous.
Notably, comic books are not a top priority for parents when choosing books for their children to read.
According to the Renaissance Foundation's 2023 report, "What Kids Are Reading?", children are reading more books than before. However, their enjoyment and reading comprehension skills are declining significantly, especially among high school students.
I read a lot, but I have little fun.
In early March this year, the charity World Book Day (operating in the UK and Ireland) reported that a survey of over 1,000 children aged 7-14 revealed that a significant number felt they were not free to read what they wanted.
Over a third of the children surveyed said they couldn't choose what they wanted to read, and about a fifth felt they were judged by the adults around them because of the books they chose, thus losing their motivation to enjoy reading.
This is perhaps the main conflict between teenagers and their parents regarding reading. Parents want their children to read books with lots of text, high educational value, and that can provide knowledge or character development. Children, on the other hand, simply want the freedom to choose their own genres and favorite books without adult judgment. If a balance isn't found – a suitable reading agreement between parents and children – the number of children who are "dissatisfied" with reading will only increase.
Along with comics, young adult literature has many books that meet both the reading needs of children and the expectations of parents; however, similar to comics, purely Vietnamese books are quite scarce, and most are still translations.
For younger children, preschool and elementary school, interactive picture books, illustrated fairy tales, and science books with vivid images remain popular. However, during this crucial stage of developing a love for reading and reading habits, young children need the daily companionship and role model of their parents most of all. This should continue until children become independent readers with their own reading preferences and goals, the right to choose suitable books, their own bookshelves, and a reading schedule. This forms the foundation for whether teenagers will be passionate about reading in the future.
Reading shouldn't be measured by quantity, especially for young children. Reading isn't a race, nor is it a badge to show off. Therefore, children reading more books than before isn't necessarily a cause for celebration, especially when the purpose of reading is entertainment and their ability to understand, connect with, and empathize with others diminishes.
Reducing pressure to read, making reading a normal activity, and choosing quality books that are appropriate for children are key priorities. Appropriateness should not only be judged by adults but also by the child's preferences. Giving children the right to choose the books they want and creating opportunities for them to participate in discussions and sharing about books are the first steps in fostering a love of reading in children, if parents truly value this.
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