RESEARCH REVIEW

The research around early childhood reading shows the wide-reaching benefits across education, literacy, and health that reading from an early age can have on children. It also demonstrates the considerable influence that parents and families play in establishing reading habits – both as facilitators and demonstrators of reading themselves. 

There is a sizeable body of research on the impacts of public libraries and schools as places which nurture and facilitate reading engagement in children – as well as some findings on the potentially negative implications that assigned and curriculum reading can have on perceptions of reading throughout life.

Overwhelmingly, the research showed that choice and autonomy are critical factors for boosting reading motivation in children.

There is also a growing body of research that investigates – and challenges – the gender divide in reading for pleasure from an early age, and provides practical tips for educators and parents.  

Key Stats

• Three-year-olds who can name a favourite book are better readers at age seven.
• Children who were exposed to more storybooks showed a greater inclination to read for pleasure and in turn, had more advanced literacy skills as adolescents.
• Children who experience reading with a caregiver are more likely to read independently once their reading skills develop.
• 89% of children (age 6-17) agree their favourite books are the ones that they have picked out themselves.
• 86% of children (age 6-17) said they loved being read books aloud at home or liked it a lot – the main reason being because it is a special time with parents.
• One in five parents of children aged 6–17 (20%) stopped reading aloud to their child before age 9, most often citing reasons related to their child being able to read independently.
• Of those children aged 6–8 whose parents no longer read books aloud at home, half (51%) did not want their parents to stop.
• Children aged 6–17 who are given time for independent reading at school are more likely to be reading currently and frequently, and are more likely to enjoy reading books for fun.

There is a growing body of research on teen readers, and the changing ways in which they are choosing – or choosing not – to read in the digital era. Interest, time, and competing technologies and leisure activities are all identified as contributing factors to teen’s disengagement with reading. 

Research in this area investigates the impacts of early schooling and upbringing on forming reading habits in adolescence, as well as investigating the barriers and opportunities for teens to engage with reading. 

Key Stats

• Reading is four times more influential on intellectual progress in teens than having a parent with a degree.
• The top barriers to teens reading were the difficulty of choosing a good book (61%), followed by lack of free time (56%).
• More than 2 in 5 (44.1%) girls who don’t enjoy reading said they cannot find things to read that interest them.
• Exposure to larger home libraries in adolescence has a positive direct effect on adult literacy, numeracy, and information and communications technology skills.
• 68% of young people said that BookTok had inspired them to read a book that they would have never considered otherwise.

In contrast to the research around the reading behaviours of children and teens, there appears to be a striking Australian, and global, scarcity of research around adults’ ongoing engagement with reading.

In terms of reading motivation, ‘finding the time’ was identified as a recurring barrier to reading across a broad spectrum of ages. As an industry, it would be valuable to gain further insights into what these underlying blockers are to allocating time to reading, so as to be able to devise effective counter-strategies and campaigns. 

Adults’ income, class, employment status, gender, and self-identification as ‘readers’ has also been shown to affect reading for pleasure in adults – though there is still more to be learned about the intersectional factors that affect adult reading engagement. 

Key Stats

• 72% of Australians read at least one book in 2019.
• Around 44% of Australians have low or very low literacy.
• 37% of Australians said they do not read because it is difficult to find the time.
• Retirees are the most active participants in ‘reading’ (80%), followed by those who are in paid work (75%).
• Women are more likely to read for pleasure than men (75% compared to 68%).
• Respondents with no post-school qualifications had lower levels of reading participation than those with a university degree.

The relationship between reading and health has been a source of the majority of the research identified through this audit.  

While the proven impacts of reading on longevity have been frequently cited to promote reading, book sales, and borrowing – many of the other positive health impacts haven’t been as widely touted. 

From depression and dementia, to empathy and self-esteem, reading is shown to have far-reaching health and wellbeing benefits for young and old readers alike.

Key Stats

• 48% of Australians say they are motivated to read because it makes them happy and/or healthy.
• A 20% reduction in mortality was observed for those who read books (30 mins a day), compared to those who did not read books.
• Adults who read books, magazines, and newspapers almost every day had a substantially lower risk of being diagnosed with depression. They also scored lower on the loneliness scale.
• 43% of readers said reading helps them get a better night’s sleep.
• 95% of people who are blind or partially sighted read at least once a week to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Reading for just 30 minutes a week means you’re 57% more likely to have a greater awareness of other cultures.

There is a growing wealth of information on the ways that people are choosing to read. While print books remained the most popular format, research revealed the growing markets for ebook and audio formats.

Our audit also identified research about the ways in which readers are finding new books – whether through word-of-mouth recommendations from family or friends, or via social media. In particular, there was growing interest in the impact of TikTok on book sales and reading habits. 

Local research also highlights the ways that readers value and engage with books by Australian creators, and the importance of fostering a robust and inclusive local books market.

Key Stats

• More than half the library books borrowed in 2022 were penned by Australian authors (trend of past three years).
• Library loans increased 37% for book-to-screen adaptations.
• Almost one in three Australians listen to audio books (31%).
• 37% of audiobook consumers started listening in the last 12 months.
• More than half of Australians aged 15–34 years read e-books (55%).
• The Australian graphic novel sector grew by 61% in 2020.
• 43% of Australians readers agree that family and friends are the most trusted source of reading recommendations.
• 77% of Australian readers largely agree ‘it’s important to support Australian writers by buying their books’.