The Skill to Read vs The Will to Read: Why Both Matter, But Only One Sparks a Lifelong Love of Books

In classrooms around the world, teachers work tirelessly to help children master the skill of reading - the ability to decode words, understand meaning, and read fluently. It’s an essential foundation, and without it, children can’t access the world of stories, knowledge, and imagination that books offer.

But there’s another side to reading that’s just as important, and often overlooked: the will to read. This is the desire, motivation, and joy that comes from choosing to read simply because you want to. It’s what turns reading from a school task into a lifelong habit.

At The Bookseed Club, this is where our heart lies. We’re not here to teach phonics or comprehension - we leave that to the brilliant teachers. Our mission is to nurture the will to read, helping families and educators raise readers who read for pleasure.

When Reading Becomes a Task, Not a Joy

In many education systems, teacher success is measured by test results. This can create pressure to focus heavily on reading proficiency - the measurable, technical side of literacy. Research by Hempel-Jorgensen and colleagues (2018) found that even time set aside for “Reading for Pleasure” in some schools was used to practise reading skills, rather than to enjoy books.

The result? Children can become technically proficient readers who don’t actually want to read. And that’s a problem, because the two are deeply connected.

The Skill and the Will Work Together

Studies show that children’s skill to read influences their will to read - and equally, their will to read influences their skill. A survey of 6–7-year-olds in England found that children who enjoyed reading were also stronger readers (McGeown et al., 2015).

In other words, when children want to read, they naturally read more, which improves their skills. And when they feel confident in their reading, they’re more likely to enjoy it. It’s a beautiful cycle - but it starts with joy, not pressure.

Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters Most

Children are motivated to read for different reasons. Some read because they have to - for school, for rewards, or to please adults. Others read because they want to - because they’re curious, excited, or emotionally connected to a story.

Research shows that intrinsic motivation, the inner drive to read for enjoyment, is far more powerful in creating lifelong readers (Orkin et al., 2018). You can’t teach a child to love reading through worksheets or tests. But you can nurture it through shared stories, choice, and positive reading experiences.

Building the Will to Read: A Shared Mission

The Teachers as Readers (TaRs) project, led by Professor Teresa Cremin and colleagues at The Open University, found that when schools focused on volitional reading - reading by choice - children’s desire to read grew significantly. The most effective approaches extended beyond the classroom, involving parents, librarians, and communities in creating rich, interactive reading cultures.

That’s exactly what The Bookseed Club is all about. We’re here to support families and educators in building those joyful reading experiences at home and beyond. We believe that every child deserves to discover the magic of books - not because they have to read, but because they want to.

Our Promise at The Bookseed Club

We’ll leave the skill of reading to the teachers. They’re doing incredible work.

Our focus is on the will - the spark, the excitement, the love of stories that keeps children turning pages long after the school bell rings.

Through our resources, challenges, and community, we’re here to help you raise readers who read for pleasure, for curiosity, and for life.