Children facing a ‘happiness recession’ says laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce | Books

A National Call for Books: Children’s Laureate Champions the Power of Reading

children’s literature is facing a “happiness recession,” declares Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a stark reality he attributes to a series of challenges facing young people,including austerity,the pandemic,adn Brexit.

These pressures “disproportionately affect children,” shaping their early experiences and leaving a lasting impact on their outlook. Cottrell-Boyce, who took on the role of Children’s Laureate last July, isn’t just concerned about their emotional well-being; he’s also worried about a growing disconnect between young generations and the joy of reading itself.

He’s witnessed firsthand how children’s interactions with books have changed. They “try to swipe them or make the pictures grow bigger with their fingers,” a stark contrast to the tradition of snuggling up with a good book. this shift has prompted Cottrell-Boyce to sound the alarm, emphasizing the urgent need to revive the magic of shared reading.

The solution, he believes, lies in fostering literacy from an early age. “Focusing on literacy in early years takes an act of courage by government,” Cottrell-Boyce emphasizes, acknowledging that the benefits may not be immediately apparent. “The long-term gains of early literacy intervention may not be realized for two decades,” making it a challenging proposition for short-sighted political agendas.

Despite the challenges,Cottrell-Boyce remains optimistic. “It can be done quite easily,” he declares, highlighting the potential for impactful change. He calls for a collaborative effort, urging influential figures in politics and education, including Wes Streeting, Bridget Phillipson, and Lisa Nandy, to champion the cause of shared reading. He believes that shared reading is key to unlocking potential and fostering a love of learning in every child.

To further drive this message home, Cottrell-Boyce is hosting a crucial summit in Liverpool where experts from diverse fields, including education, science, health, and politics, will come together to share best practices and formulate recommendations for policymakers.

Cottrell-Boyce’s passionate plea underscores the profound impact reading has on a child’s development. He reminds us that every child deserves the chance to experiance the joy, wonder, and limitless possibilities that books offer.

“We certainly know that if you arrive at school never having been read to, you’ve been given this enormous disadvantage. Your first encounter with a book is as this sort of alien piece of kit that you have to decode. You’re at a massive disadvantage over kids whose first experience of a book is cuddled up on the sofa,” he shares, highlighting the importance of early exposure to literacy.

Reading for wellbeing: Children’s Laureate calls for National Action

Frank Cottrell-boyce, the acclaimed author and current Children’s Laureate, is on a mission to ignite a national conversation about the vital role reading plays in children’s lives. He believes that access to books and literacy are fundamental human rights, impacting not only academic success but also mental and emotional well-being.

“Reading is a key ingredient for a happy, healthy life,” Cottrell-Boyce asserts, “Yet, we’re failing to prioritize it as a nation.” This urgency stems from a deep concern about the “reading crisis” facing the UK, a crisis he aims to tackle head-on.

A Summit for Solutions

Next month, Cottrell-Boyce will host a crucial summit in Liverpool, bringing together a wealth of expertise. From education and science to health and politics, the summit promises a cross-disciplinary approach to tackling this challenge.

“We’ll be sharing best practices and formulating evidence-based recommendations to guide policymakers,” explains Cottrell-Boyce. The goal is enterprising: to create a enduring, long-term action plan to address the reading crisis.

Nurturing a Love for Reading: The Power of Home and Nurseries

Cottrell-Boyce believes that fostering a love for reading begins long before children enter formal education. “While schools play a critical role, reading is a habit best fostered at home and in early childhood settings,” he emphasizes.

“It’s during these formative years that children first encounter the joy and magic of books. We need to encourage parents, carers, and nursery staff to engage young children with reading, making it a fun and enriching part of their daily routine.

The Impact of Reading on Wellbeing

Cottrell-Boyce is speedy to point to the numerous health and mental health benefits associated with reading. research has consistently shown that reading can reduce stress,improve sleep,and boost cognitive function.

“Studies have shown that reading can be an effective, economic health intervention that should be available to all,” explains Cottrell-Boyce, highlighting the far-reaching positive impacts of this simple act.

The recent tragic arson attack on a library, which occurred at the beginning of Cottrell-Boyce’s tenure as Children’s Laureate, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of these vital resources. He poignantly remarks, “The people who did that did not know how to make sense of the world.” This devastating act underscores the importance of providing children with access to books and literacy as tools to understand and navigate their world.

Unlocking the Limitless World: Why Reading Matters Now More Than Ever

The benefits of reading extend far beyond mere entertainment. Studies have shown that making reading a regular habit can considerably reduce stress levels by up to 68%, lower heart rate, and even give your immune system a boost.For children, early exposure to books and stories is a crucial foundation for healthy brain development, fostering emotional intelligence, and cultivating empathy.It can also serve as a vital emotional outlet and coping mechanism, especially for children facing challenging circumstances.

The impact of reading on our lives is profound. Research from the reading Agency and the University of Liverpool reveals that reading for pleasure can actually increase lifespan by an average of two years. This compelling statistic underscores the importance of prioritizing reading in our daily lives.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Children’s Laureate, passionately advocates for the transformative power of reading. He encourages individuals to share their own reading experiences, participate in the conversation, and demand that our government and local authorities prioritize reading education.As Cottrell-Boyce eloquently states,”We need to heap pressure on our government and local authorities to make reading a priority – because every child deserves the chance to unlock the limitless world of stories.”

To learn more about Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s work and contribute to the reading revolution, visit frankcottrellboyce.com/children-laureate.

What specific changes has Frank Cottrell-Boyce observed in children’s interactions with books?

Archyde Exclusive Interview: Frank Cottrell-Boyce,Children’s Laureate – Championing the Power of Reading

Archyde: mr. Cottrell-Boyce, thank you for joining us today. As the current Children’s Laureate, you’ve been quite outspoken about the state of children’s literature in the UK. Can you expand on your observations?

Frank Cottrell-Boyce (FCB): Absolutely, thanks for having me.I’ve been Children’s Laureate since last july, and in that time, I’ve seen a worrying trend. Children’s interaction with books has changed dramatically. They’re expecting to interact with them like tablets or smartphones, trying to swipe pages or make pictures grow bigger. It’s a stark contrast to the joy of snuggling up with a good book.

Archyde: This shift in interaction, you argue, is tied to broader pressures facing young people today?

FCB: Exactly. Children are disproportionately affected by issues like austerity, the pandemic, and Brexit. These pressures shape their early experiences and leave a lasting impact on their emotional well-being. But it’s not just about their happiness; it’s also about their relationship with reading itself.

Archyde: So,you’re seeing a ‘happiness recession’ affecting children’s literacy and love for reading?

FCB: Yes,precisely. and this is why I’m sounding the alarm. We urgently need to revive the magic of shared reading, especially in these formative years.

Archyde: You’ve called for a national push to prioritize literacy. Why is this a heroic move for governments?

FCB: Becuase the benefits of early literacy intervention don’t show up immediately. The long-term gains – improved cognitive progress, emotional intelligence, social skills – take time to realize. It requires a long-sightedness that’s often lacking in political agendas focused on short-term wins.

Archyde: Despite these challenges,you remain optimistic. Why?

FCB: as I’ve seen firsthand the power of shared reading. It unlocks potential, fosters a love of learning, and creates indelible connections between children and their caregivers. Plus, it can be done relatively easily with a bit of coordination and will.

Archyde: Who do you see as key figures in driving this change?

FCB: I’m looking to influential figures in politics and education, like Wes Streeting, Bridget Phillipson, and Lisa Nandy, to champion the cause of shared reading. I urge them to see the potential impact on children’s lives and, ultimately, on our society as a whole.

Archyde: In that vein,you’re hosting a crucial summit in Liverpool next month.What can we expect from that event?

FCB: We’re bringing together experts from diverse fields to share best practices and formulate recommendations for policymakers. It’s about finding practical, long-term solutions to the reading crisis. We need a comprehensive action plan,not just speedy fixes.

Archyde: Mr. Cottrell-Boyce, what would you like to say to the parents, caregivers, and teachers reading this, about the role they play in fostering a love for reading?

FCB: Never underestimate the power of cuddling up with a book. That first encounter with a book, where a child understands it’s not just an ‘alien piece of kit’ but a gateway to limitless possibilities, is priceless. Let’s give every child that magical experience.

Archyde: Thank you, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, for your passion and your vital work as Children’s Laureate.

FCB: Thank you.