Reading for Pleasure
Reading for pleasure can benefit a child’s education, social and cognitive development, their wellbeing, communication skills and mental health. Studies have proven that reading for pleasure enhances the ability to understand one’s own and others’ identities. Reading helps children become more successful within and beyond the classroom.
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Why is reading so important?
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We read every day. Whether it's an advert at the bus stop, a text from a friend, a menu, a road sign, a homework task, school, or a food label, we are constantly reading so we can understand the world around us.
We need to be able to read to a high level to access information within our education, careers and everyday lives.
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Benefits of reading: the facts
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The average GCSE paper has a reading age of 15 years and 7 months… The average GCSE student has a reading age of 13 years…
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Children who read 1,000,000 words a year are in the top two percent of reading achievement.
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It exercises your brain
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It improves your concentration
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It improves your vocabulary
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It develops your imagination
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It improves your memory
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Benefits of reading: Mental Health
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Reading for 6 minutes a day reduces stress by 68%
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Reading before bed regularly can improve your sleep
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Reading can have the same positive effects as humour and yoga
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30 minutes of reading can lower blood pressure and heart rate
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