The pleasure of reading is increasingly becoming a lost art among youngsters, according to the majority of teachers.

This is the major finding of a new survey from Pearson and the Booktrust, which showed that more than half of teachers (57 per cent) are of the opinion that today’s pupils are less inclined to spend time reading than they did when they were children.

As such, it appears that the idea of ‘getting lost in a good book’ is somewhat niche these days, with many children not associating the activity of reading with fun, for example.

Two-fifths of teachers taking part in the poll also said that they believe within a decade, many of the children they teach will read far less than they do today. Technology perhaps is having a negative impact on reading, especially in terms of enjoyment.

“It is our responsibility to help schools in their invaluable work to ensure that reading is given more emphasis in children’s lives,” said Peter Hughes, head of corporate responsibility at Pearson.

“Research has shown that a child who reads frequently, and has the support of their parents, carers and teachers, is a child that will achieve their potential.”

He makes an interesting point, as the survey’s findings suggested that parents are not doing their part to keep their children enthused about reading.

The poll noted, for example, that 64 per cent teachers and librarians – more than 500 were canvassed for their thoughts – think that mums and dads today are far less active in motivating their children to read for pleasure.

Responding to the report, the children’s author Hilary Robinson, whose books include Mixed Up Fairytales and Aladdin and the Lamp, told the Yorkshire Post that she did not necessarily agree with the findings.

She said: “Reading habits may be formed in childhood but are not necessarily a reliable basis by which determine whether the child will be an avid reader as an adult.”