Nearly two-thirds (64%) of UK parents spend less than an hour reading with their child in a typical week, according to new research from UK literacy charity Chapter One. This puts most families below the recommended 70 minutes of reading time needed for a child’s development.
As a lead delivery partner for the National Year of Reading 2026 – a nationwide campaign to get more children and adults reading for pleasure – Chapter One commissioned the research to better understand the way the nation reads. The research comes against a backdrop of falling reading enjoyment among children aged between 5 and 8.
Despite the best intentions, family reading time is under increasing pressure. Almost nine in 10 parents (86%) say they would like more time to spend reading with their child, highlighting a gap between the support children need and the time many families are able to give. The main barriers are not parents’ lack of willingness to read with their children, but rather the time and capacity available to families.
Chapter One is working to address these issues head-on through its online volunteering programme, where corporate volunteers take 30 minutes each week to read to a child.
Reading confidence is built through practice, encouragement and regular attention from adults.
When those opportunities become harder to find, children can feel the impact both inside and outside the classroom.
Teachers are reporting worrying signs that confidence is becoming a significant barrier to children’s reading development. More than half (53%) of teachers surveyed identify children’s fear of making mistakes in front of others as a barrier to reading, while many (44%) point to limited opportunities to practise reading one-to-one with an adult.
The findings show that students do not simply need help learning to read. They need the encouragement and confidence which comes from one-to-one undivided attention and the freedom to practise without the fear of making mistakes.
The research from Chapter One shows overwhelming enthusiasm for children having direct reading support from trusted adults who can make a real difference to their lives.
Around nine in 10 parents (87%) and teachers (91%) agree that having a trusted adult or reading volunteer read regularly with their child would improve their confidence, while almost all teachers (96%) agree it is valuable for children to have a consistent adult outside their immediate family and school circle who takes an interest in their progress. 89% of parents even believe it would strengthen their child’s long-term love of reading.
Alongside parents and teachers, 82% of working adults surveyed agree that every child should have access to regular one-to-one reading support if they need it, and almost four in five working adults (79%) agree that a trusted adult outside the family or school circle can have a lasting impact on a child’s future.
Encouragingly, the research finds that just over two-thirds (67%) of working adults would consider volunteering as reading support for children if backed by their employer, highlighting a positive and practicable opportunity for businesses to help address the literacy crisis. Almost half (45%) say seeing the impact they could have on a child would motivate them to volunteer, while over a third (36%) would be encouraged by flexible scheduling around their job.
Chapter One works to close the reading gap for children facing disadvantage, helping those who might otherwise slip through the cracks to develop the will and the skill to read. Its solution is simple and scalable. Through its online reading programme, children aged 5 to 8 read one-to-one with a volunteer from a UK business for 30 minutes each week, building their confidence and a love for reading from an early age.
The charity urges businesses to provide opportunities for their staff to volunteer and help transform young children’s lives through reading.
Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One, said:
“Parents want to spend more time reading one-to-one with their children, but the reality of busy family life can make regular reading time difficult to find.
“When a child begins to believe that they can read, that confidence can stay with them long after the book is closed.”
“It was brilliant to see Ayla grow in confidence as a reader throughout our sessions,” says London-based Lorenzo of Eversheds Sutherland. “As the weeks went by, she became noticeably more invested in the books we were reading and was keen to share her thoughts. Seeing that moment when something clicked for her, and watching reading become something she genuinely enjoyed, was fantastic.”
“I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity through Eversheds Sutherland to support Chapter One and help Ayla develop a love of reading that she can take with her as she grows. It’s amazing to see the improvements a child can make in their reading when you give them just 30 minutes of time a week.
“Volunteering through work has given me the chance to be part of that journey, and I’ve got just as much out of the experience as I hope Ayla has.”
