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World Book Day reminds us of the fun of reading
Primary Times teams up with the National Centre for Children’s Books, Seven Stories, to get you excited for World Book Day!
On the 3rd March schools and families across the globe will be celebrating World Book Day with dressing up, storytelling, competitions, performances and of course, lots and lots of stories. And as we near the two-year anniversary of the first lockdown, we believe there has never been a more timely reminder that reading is fun, and not just for one day a year.
With parents under pressure to become literacy home-schoolers overnight during lockdowns and self-isolations, it’s easy to see how reading together can seem like an extension of the school day. But World Book Day is on a mission to make reading for pleasure a habit for life, not just for the crucial development benefits, but because it’s also an indicator for success in life[1] - and we couldn’t be more onboard.
Molly Barrett, Seven Stories’ Creative Associate working with primary schoolchildren and communities in the North East, said: “This annual celebration of books is such a good excuse to think outside the box and share the joy of reading both in the classroom, and out. It’s so good to have a reminder that books are more than just a learning tool - it helps us focus on the fun!
“In the classroom, it’s a great opportunity for children to express their opinions about what they enjoy, share likes and dislikes, and challenge preconceptions peer to peer. It’s a chance to show pupils where and how to access stories, regardless of geography and background, and highlight the breadth of stories out there.”
Richard O’Neill, Creative Lead in Residence at Seven Stories, and award-winning author, adds: “We know that stories empower young people to understand their world and in such uncertain times, when even the adults around them don’t have the answers, reading can reduce anxiety, develop social and communication skills, and inspire children to be creative themselves, which in turn helps them to process their thoughts and feelings. Just ten minutes of reading together a day can make a huge difference to a child’s mental health and joy in the present, but can also be the cornerstone of their future happiness too.”
Find out more about World Book Day and how you can get involved at www.worldbookday.com
Teacher resources are available at https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/learning/books-and-resources. Events are held in-person and online regularly for schools, teachers and the wider public – follow them on Facebook and Instagram @7Stories to keep up to date.
[1] Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development