Reading for Children's Mental Health
It's #ChildrensMentalHealth Week and the National Literacy trust have done research to take a look at what children and young people say about the relationship between reading and mental wellbeing, this is a summary of what they found…
In 2018, their research found that children and young people who engaged the most with literacy were 3 times more likely to have high levels of mental wellbeing than those who were least engaged.
Key findings
3 in 5 (59.4%) children and young people told us that reading helped them relax
Nearly 1 in 2 (46.0%) said reading made them feel happy
3 in 10 said reading made them feel more confident (29.8%) or helped them deal with problems (27.3%)
3 in 5 children and young people say that reading helps them to relax
In 2023, the statement "Reading helps me relax" had the highest percentage of agreement of any motivational statements, with 3 in 4 children and young people agreeing. Nearly 1 in children and young people said they read because it makes them feel happy, and nearly 3 in 10 said it helped them to feel confident and deal with their problems.
Children and young people's comments provided greater insight into how they felt like reading helped them with their mental health and wellbeing. Some shared how reading calms them and clears their mind. Others said that it made them feel happy and confident.
These findings indicate the powerful impact that reading has in the lives of young people, supporting them not only in learning but in mental wellbeing.
To read the full report and find free resources to support children's mental wellbeing, please click here
Reference: Clark, C., Chamberlain, E. and Piction, I. (2023) Reading for mental wellbeing: Children and young people's voices in 2023 London: National Literacy Trust.