What impact does socio-economic status have on children's reading?
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What role does the home and family play in children’s reading?
The home and family were found to play important roles in children’s literacy. However the link between socio-economic status and reading was found to be mediated by a range of factors such as access to educational materials and parents’ attitude to reading.
Access to educational materials
Access to educational materials, such as books, computers, magazines and a desk of their own are recognised as influencing pupils’ academic attainment. The researchers found that reading and enjoyment were related to the number of books at home. The data showed that pupils receiving free school meals had more limited access to educational materials than other pupils.
| Educational materials at home | Free School Meals |
Non Free School Meals |
| Computer | 82% | 93% |
| Own desk | 61% | 75% |
| Own books | 83% | 90% |
| Access to newspapers | 63% | 73% |
Parental influence
Parents are key role-models for children, and their behaviour and attitudes have a significant influence on children’s motivation to learn and their reading behaviours. Parents who read for pleasure were found to positively influence children to see reading as a worthwhile and valuable activity. The study found that pupils receiving free school meals reported lower levels of parental reading at home and less encouragement to read.
Pupil attitudes towards reading
All pupils involved in the study agreed that reading is an important life skill. More of the pupils who received free school meals believed that reading is boring and hard saying that they struggle to find books that interest them. Interestingly, these pupils were also more likely to say that they enjoyed going to the school library than pupils not receiving free school meals.
Reading enjoyment
The majority of pupils receiving free school meals, especially boys stated that they do not enjoy reading at all and that they never or almost never read outside school and again boys were highest in this category.
There were surprising differences in the reasons given by pupils for why they read. A high proportion of pupils receiving free school meals said that they read to help them get a job, while pupils not receiving free school meals read for fun.
Encouraging pupils to read more
The researchers considered ways to encourage pupils to read more, and found that all pupils said that they would read more if they had more time. Pupils receiving free school meals also indicated that they would read more if:
- books contained more pictures;
- books were read aloud to them;
- libraries were closer;
- they found reading easier;
- they received more family encouragement; and
- had better eyesight.
