The links between reading and wellbeing are well-documented. Research by The Reading Agency has found that reading can encourage relaxation and have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.

But what about reading about wellbeing? Surely that could have a positive effect, too?

I recently started a wellbeing book club, which aims to connect teachers with literature around best practice in this area.

Supporting wellbeing in schools is complex. There is no quick fix, although there are plenty of tools and programmes out there that claim to offer exactly that.

So, for teachers and leaders looking to find out more about this topic, and to separate the myths from the facts, where should they begin? Here are some of my top reads.

Teaching Happiness and Wellbeing in Schools, by Ian Morris

Written by a secondary school teacher, this book is aimed at those working with older children but you can certainly adapt many of the ideas for primary, as I have in the past. It is a comprehensive read, covering everything from emotions and resilience to flow and mindfulness. It shares the research behind its many practical suggestions and is a book you’ll keep dipping back into.

The Gardener and the Carpenter, by Alison Gopnik

Gopnik is a professor of child development and although this book is really aimed at parents of young children, when I was reading it as the parent of a toddler, I quickly realised how relevant it would be to teachers of early years and primary. Gopnik shares the research underpinning the importance of play and why adults need to model the behaviours and attitudes they wish their children to copy. This book may change how you teach - and maybe how you parent, too.

The Social Neuroscience of Education, by Louis Cozolino

Cozolino’s book centres on the argument that because humans are a social species who have lived in tribes for most of the time we have existed, children need to feel safe, attached to others and part of a “tribal classroom” in order to learn effectively. Another comprehensive book, it looks at the psychology and neuroscience behind learning but through a social and emotional lens.

It’s OK Not To Be OK, by Tina Rae

This beautifully illustrated book aims to teach teenagers how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. Written by positive psychologist Dr Tina Rae, it takes a proactive approach to helping young people navigate life in the 21st century. It covers topics such as social media, body image and discrimination, and would be a great addition to any secondary school library or pastoral leader’s bookshelf.

Mindful Teacher, Mindful School, by Kevin Hawkins

Mindfulness practices are becoming more and more common in schools but they are not always delivered well. This book supports you to embed mindfulness effectively. It emphasises that successful implementation must start with the teacher; only when staff have established their own practice will they be able to teach more mindfully and then teach mindfulness. This book focuses on how to shift school culture to better support this.

Adrian Bethune is a part-time teacher, author and the founder of Teachappy. You can follow his Teachappy Book Club on Instagram @teachappyuk

This article originally appeared in the 13 August 2021 issue under the headline “Wellbeing by the book”