Abstract

It is common knowledge that reading helps greatly in children’s literacy development and determines their future success in reading and writing. But it seems that children often try to avoid reading. Thus, this study aim to record, explore and analyze in depth Greek pupils attitudes toward reading. A validated questionnaire measuring attitudes toward reading was administered to 187 male and 192 female pupils’ of the sixth grade, from 9 primary schools in Thessaloniki, Greece, during the academic year 2007-08. Methods of multivariate statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that Greece pupils not only do not form the habit of reading but they also have a negative attitude toward reading. Suggestions on how both teachers and parents could cultivate a positive attitude toward reading are made. Implications for further study are also made.