In 2024 the National Literacy Trust undertook its annual
survey into children’s writing habits. The results were shocking. Fewer than 3
in 10 (28%) children and young people aged 8 -18 said that they enjoy writing
in their free time.
Levels of enjoyment
have decreased by 18.1 percentage points over the past 14 years, with levels
decreasing by 11.9 percentage points over the past year alone. Just 1 in 9
(11.1%) children and young people told us they that they wrote something in
their free time. Interestingly, the data shows that opposite is true of children’s
experience of writing in schools with more than half of the children and young
people saying they enjoy the writing that they do at school.
Findings show that children’s and young people’s enjoyment
of writing and frequency of writing in their free time is at an unprecedented
low
What’s happened to writing for enjoyment?
Children and young people deserve to be re – connected to the
amazing art form that develops their creativity, gives them a voice, helps them
to understand the word and supports their mental well-being.
Wednesday 25th June is National writing Day. The
theme for this year is Share Your Voice. Everyone is invited to take part.
First Story have commissioned Dean Atta to create an
activity to inspire us, so let’s get started!
Check out these websites. They have lots of wonderful
resources .
https://firststory.org.uk/writeday/?mc_cid=d8b31fb5ea&mc_eid=a7f4527e64
https://literacytrust.org.uk/about-us/national-writing-day/
https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/national-poetry-day/poems-and-resources/
Have fun sharing your voice!
