4.7 Myth #7 Children must learn to decode before Reading for Pleasure

Learning to read and developing the desire to read are interdependent. The Early Years Framework in England (DfE, 2021) stresses that ‘It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading’ (p. 9), recognising that developing children’s will to read is necessary to develop the skill to read.

When children reach statutory school age, educators and parents should continue to maximise opportunities to read a wide range of texts and genres with children. In addition, exploring picture storybooks, non-fiction, comics and digital texts of their choice independently, or with peers, enables children to draw on a wealth of emerging skills and knowledge to make meaning from and connections between texts.