Author Cottrell-Boyce calls summit to warn about children’s happiness

Best-selling author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the current Children’s Laureate, is to lead a campaign to tackle the “decline in children’s happiness” which he believes is caused by a decline in reading at an early age. It happens.

The author has organized a summit in Liverpool on Wednesday, at which he will call on the government to “stand up and send a clear signal that this country values ​​its children”.

Cottrell-Boyce, whose books include Millions and Cosmic, will warn that children in Britain may do well in reading league tables, but reading for pleasure is declining, making “(them) less likely to be happy.” Has occurred”.

The Reading Rights Summit will also feature fellow authors Cressida Cowell and Michael Rosen, two of her predecessors as children’s laureates.

Cottrell-Boyce would urge politicians to “ensure every single child has access to books, reading and transformative ways to improve their long-term life chances”.

The author would also say that “Our children are at the top of the global leagues when it comes to mechanical reading skill But when it comes down to the bottom ‘Reading for pleasure.’

“It’s not surprising that our kids seem to be experiencing some kind of happiness recession right now, and I believe the decline in reading has played a role in it.”

Speaking to the BBC ahead of his speech, the author stressed the benefits of supporting reading in the early years. “It’s easy to be sad about the situation, but there’s also a huge amount of joy and optimism involved,” he said.

A 2022 Booktrust survey of more than 2,000 low-income families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that less than half of children under seven are told a story at bedtime.

They are disadvantaged children who achieve higher at the end of primary school They are twice as likely to be homeschooled in their early years Compared to his peers, Dan found.

Cottrell-Boyce describes the “invisible privilege” of being read from a young age as, “It’s not something that people see the importance of, and if you have it, you’re at a huge advantage compared to other people.” Are”.

Screen time is also an issue. In his speech, he will say that he has heard of some children who “instead of turning the pages, try to swipe them or enlarge the pictures with their fingers” because they had not seen a book before starting school. .

He would also say: “Yes, it is important for educational attainment. Yes, the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport), it is the most important – and most democratic – part of our cultural heritage.

“Shared reading is an effective, economic health intervention, so yes, it is essential,” said (Health Secretary) Wes Streeting, for mental health, for bonding, for attachment, to create conditions where parents and carers are most Well, let’s give the happiest start to life for our children.”

He told the BBC that he had “incredibly happy memories” of his childhood.

But later she realized that her mother was finding it difficult to live in a small flat with her mother and two young boys.

“Her solution was that she took us to the library a lot of times. I don’t think she expected us to fall in love. I think she just wanted to hang out and have a nice place to sit!

“I just have these incredibly happy memories… so that’s what makes me passionate about happiness.”

Many children’s laureates have campaigned on similar issues, but Cottrell-Boyce told the BBC he was focusing his message more on the government rather than the public.

He added: “We’re not talking about any massive undertaking. Some of the most amazing things I’ve seen in terms of capital expenditure are a Pritt Stick and two copies of (Rod Campbell’s classic toddler book) Dear Zoo .

“The infrastructure is there but it is not connected.”

The summit, held with children’s reading charity Booktrust, will also hear from the Government’s Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza and a report will be released afterwards.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our transformation plan to ensure that thousands more children start school ready to learn, with high and rising standards, excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. are key parts of ensuring that every child can achieve and thrive.

“We have invested more than £90 million in our English Hub programme, which supports reading for pleasure, with an additional £23 million for the 2024-25 academic year and we increased early language support Is.”