New Course to Support Children’s Reading for Pleasure

The Open University’s Reading for Pleasure team has launched a free online course to offer guidance, strategy and insight for all those with a focus on improving children’s reading lives.

It is widely recognised that supporting children to become capable and engaged readers plays an important role in their future success. Reading for Pleasure research has identified that the will to read influences the skill to read and so developing a love of reading in children is significant for many educators.

The course, titled Developing Reading for Pleasure: Engaging Young Readers, explores theory and research as well as providing practical tips on supporting children’s enjoyment in reading. Participants will consider current research, debates and challenges that impact on children’s reading and gain knowledge and strategies to promote reader engagement across schools, homes and communities.

Whilst the course is primarily aimed at teachers, teaching assistants, school leaders and reading volunteers, it will still be beneficial for parents and, in fact, all those interested in nurturing children’s enjoyment in reading.

This free course has been written by Dr Lucy Rodriguez Leon, Professor Teresa Cremin, Dr Helen Hendry and Dr Sarah Jane Mukherjee from the Faculty of WELS.

Professor Cremin says, “Reading empowers; it plays a key role in enriching one’s personal growth and development, so we see developing a love of reading amongst children as part of a wider social justice mission, where all children can flourish. As educators, we need to engage responsibly and with rigour, motivating and supporting young people to read recreationally beyond the classroom and to become readers for life.”

The course is divided into eight online sessions, including ‘Knowing your texts, knowing your readers’, and ‘Supporting children as readers at home’.

This course also gives participants the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge, which is a way to demonstrate interest in a subject and provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

Find out more and register to begin the course at any time.