Reading enjoyment declines as kids get older, according to an eSchool News article.
Only 40% of 4th graders report reading for pleasure, down from 57% in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Only 13% of 9th graders read for pleasure daily as independent reading drops sharply after elementary school.
The National Reading Research Center measures intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors that influence reading, based on data from 1,500 students in grades K-11 in eight participating schools. The research identifies ten intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate reading.
Intrinsic factors
Confidence – a student’s belief they can be successful reading
Curiosity – the desire to learn new things through reading
Enjoyment – reading is entertaining or deeply engaging
Challenge – the satisfaction that comes from understanding complex or difficult text
Importance – a student’s strong belief that reading is important
Extrinsic factors
Compliance – reading because of an external goal or requirement
Recognition – reading to achieve social recognition
Grades – the desire to earn good grades by reading more
Competition – the desire to outperform others in reading
Social – reading to share insights or information with family and friends
Research findings:
- Curiosity is the strongest motivator, ranking as the first or second most motivating factor across all participating schools. Less motivated readers may not have lost their curiosity; they may be disengaged by the reading experiences available to them.
- Unlike older readers, early readers are motivated by confidence and compliance, before curiosity becomes the dominant driver.
- Build confidence first, and then as students gain independence, curiosity becomes a strong motivator to read.
- Motivation to read begins declining in 2nd grade and continues to decline at every grade level. Schools can intervene early and evolve students’ reading experience.
- Extrinsic motivation such compliance and grades can help re-engage reluctant readers while intrinsic motivation develops.
eSchool News
