Parents and schools encouraged to read with kids as enjoyment levels at record low
Portsdown Primary School are challenging the trends by encouraging kids to read with volunteers, a library, and a book vending machine
People across the South are being encouraged to read with their children after reading for pleasure's found to be at a record low.
Schoolreaders are finding children's enjoyment of reading is hitting the lowest levels in 20 years across the country.
Portsdown Primary School are challenging the trends by getting kids to read with Schoolreaders volunteers, and they even have a book vending machine for kids to access in a rewards-system.
Ash Vaghela, Headteacher at Portsdown Primary School, said: "We can't underestimate the importance of reading for our children.
"Reading opens up the world to them because we want our children to grow up, we want them to explore the world around them, not just Portsmouth or England, but the actual world.
"Reading opens up their imaginations and their minds to a whole new avenue for them, and encourages them to explore things they wouldn't explore otherwise.
"So reading is really important for us to get right in our school for their life chances as they grow older."
The Schoolreaders charity say they're pledging to deliver 1.5 million one-to-one reading sessions in schools across England in bids to reverse the trend.
Sarah Barclay is a Schoolreaders volunteer at the school.
She said: "What surprised me, and I've got two children who are now young adults, is how incredibly clever children are, and how quickly they benefit from just a tiny bit of extra reading.
"It's extraordinary.
"They're just waiting to be watered in a way."
One of the students who benefits from the scheme is Eliza.
She's telling us what she likes about reading.
She said: "I just like it when I'm kind of alone and I've just got a bit of privacy in my brain.
"It's nice to just sit and read."
Another student, Sydney, who reads with Ms Barclay and is telling us reading helps her to learn.
Sarah Bartlett's the English lead at the school and said: "I'm always talking to Sarah about what a huge impact her volunteering has, and we're lucky enough to have two other volunteers, too.
"I definitely believe they become part of our culture in school.
"The way they come in and their enthusiasm for reading, and the children just love reading with them.
"In a busy classroom with 30 children and one or two adults, it's hard to have that one-to-one time, so the fact we've got these lovely adults that com in and give them that time to read?
"It's just fantastic for the children."