Children are losing interest in reading these days compared to earlier, researchers say.
Going through and studying the school syllabus, may help a child to excel academically. But it cannot ensure the overall success of a child in his/her life.
Developing an interest in books and reading outside the class is essential as academic success naturally follows a child who has strong reading habits.
However, investigators from the International Literacy Day (Sept 8) looked at 21,000 children and young people in the UK and found a drastic decline in the number of young readers- four out of 10 children in 2005 becoming three.
Though the number of children who enjoy reading remained the same since 2005- 51 percent- many children were found avoiding reading books to find time for other activities.
The research titled "Children's Reading Today" found the introduction of electronic media like TV (54 percent) negatively affecting children's reading habits.
The researchers also found a drop in the number of children who read magazines (77 percent in 2005 to 57 percent in 2012), comics (64 percent to 50 percent) and reading on internet (64 percent to 50 percent).
Apart from that, the study also highlighted the importance of reading outside the class in the development of a child. They found children who read outside the class daily, display higher capacity to read material above their age level.
The investigators urged parents and teachers to motivate children to read.
"The fact that children are reading less than in 2005 signals a worrying shift in young people's literacy habits," Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust, said in a statement.
"We believe we need to inspire a new generation to read in the same way that the Olympics is inspiring a new generation to take part in sport. We need to make reading irresistible. We want to call on families and professionals working with children and young people to make ten minutes in their day for reading."
The findings come at a time when the world is celebrating International Literacy Day on Sep.8.
