Children who are the most engaged with reading and writing are three times more likely to have high levels of mental wellbeing than those who are least engaged, the National Literacy Trust says in a report published today.
Its survey, based on 49,047 schoolchildren aged eight to 18, also found that as children move from primary to secondary school, their levels of literacy engagement and mental wellbeing both decline and continue on a downward path.
The trust, together with children’s mental health charity Place2Be, is today launching free teaching resources for primary and secondary schools, including book lists and assembly plans, as well as a series of “top tips” and activity ideas for using reading and writing to support children’s mental wellbeing.
Joys of reading ‘hugely beneficial’
Trust director Jonathan Douglas said: “Children and young people today face a multitude of pressures at school, at home and in their social lives. It is imperative that we do everything we can to enable our children to develop the resilience they need to cope with life’s challenges - and our latest research shows that the joys of reading and writing can be hugely beneficial.
“Not only does a love of reading and writing enable children to flourish at school, but we now also know it can play a vital role in supporting children to lead happy and healthy lives.”
The survey found that children who are most engaged with reading and writing are also much happier with their lives than children who are the least engaged.
Chief executive of Place2Be Catherine Roche said: “Escaping in a good story is not only a great way to cope when you’re feeling stressed or worried, but can also be a fantastic opportunity for children to explore difficult feelings, understand them, and feel less alone.
“We often use characters and stories in our group work in schools to encourage children to explore their own feelings and behaviours. Whether you relate to Harry Potter or the Hulk, if we want to help children to build their resilience and cope with life’s inevitable challenges, spending time with your child and encouraging a love of reading and writing is a good place to start.”
The research also found that, on the whole, children and young people in the UK have good mental wellbeing and that children in Greater London, the North East and the West Midlands have the highest levels of mental wellbeing.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, said: “The importance of reading for pleasure is well understood. Schools devote time to this, to allow pupils to become lost in a good book, as the saying goes.
“But this time is in danger of getting lost now, too. Changes to the curriculum and higher stakes tests and exams mean that reading for pleasure can be squeezed out of the school day.
“This disadvantages low-income families the most, because school is a point of free access to books and often those children who would benefit the most from reading for pleasure don’t have that many books at home to choose from.”
