Reader Identities

A new reading initiative is giving children the tools to understand not just what they read, but who they are as readers. Reading Rumble, an innovative reward system for KS2 pupils, is helping children uncover their unique reading tastes while learning to celebrate differences among classmates.

The program, which combines reflective reading journals with collectable author cards and a gamified reward system, is rooted in a simple idea: reading is most powerful when children see themselves as active, individual readers.

 

Research by literacy expert Professor Teresa Cremin emphasises the importance of developing a strong reader identity – the sense of knowing your likes, dislikes, and reading habits, and being confident in sharing them with others. Reading Rumble encourages this by asking children to record not just what they have read, but how they felt about it. This process transforms reading into an act of self-discovery.

 

The result? Pupils begin to understand that it’s okay to prefer fantasy to football stories, or graphic novels to poetry – and that their tastes may differ from their friends. Far from being a drawback, these differences spark discussion and build a community of readers who can learn from one another.

“Children often think there’s a ‘right’ kind of book to be reading,” says a Year 5 teacher trialling the program. “But Reading Rumble shows them that every reader is unique. It helps them say, ‘I didn’t like this book because… but I loved that one because…’ – and that’s a huge step in becoming an independent reader.”

 

Psychological research supports this approach. Studies on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) show that when children are given ownership and autonomy in their learning, they are far more likely to develop intrinsic motivation – choosing to read because they want to, not because they are told to. By making reflection and personal choice the route to progression, Reading Rumble builds that autonomy into the reading experience.

 

At home, the impact can be just as powerful. When parents see their child explain why they enjoyed one author but not another, it opens up conversations about reading that go beyond “What did you read today?” Families can celebrate not only the books their children complete, but also the unique reader identities that are taking shape.