Reading for Pleasure

We know that reading for pleasure is important, but what are the key benefits?

• Reading for pleasure has many non-literacy benefits and can increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce the symptoms of depression and improve wellbeing throughout life (The Reading Agency 2015).
• Reading for pleasure has social benefits as well and can make people feel more connected to the wider community. Reading increases a person’s understanding of their own identity, improves empathy and gives them an insight into the world view of others (The Reading Agency 2015).
• Students with more positive attitudes towards reading are more likely to read at or above the expected level for their age (Clark 2014).
• There is a strong association between the amount of reading for pleasure students say they do and their reading achievement (Twist 2007).
• Students who read for pleasure make significantly more progress in vocabulary, spelling and maths than children who read very little (Sullivan and Brown 2013).
• Teachers who encourage students to read books of their choice for pleasure is a major contribution towards students developing a positive attitude towards reading and a life-long interest in reading. (International Reading Association, 2014).

Each month we will release a new virtual bookcase, with links to some of our favourite books (including non-fiction and poetry!). All adults in our school are encouraged to contribute to these and it is a great way to ignite our own passion for reading and find out about new book releases too!