How reading for pleasure could positively impact your child's mental health

Illustrations by Marie-Eve Tremblay. Colagene, Creative Clinic

by Angela Yates

Seeing a child completely engaged in the world of a book is one of the most rewarding experiences for any parent, librarian, or teacher.

At a time when their own life experience is still relatively limited, reading opens up new worlds for children and allows them to explore new places safely, meet new people and creatures, and grapple with ideas and issues. Reading is a vital, enriching activity and the evidence linking reading for pleasure with increased health outcomes, improved social skills, and enhanced educational mobility is overwhelming. 

So, how can we foster a culture of “reading for pleasure” for our children?

The multiple benefits of reading for pleasure can be measured at various stages of child development. A 2022 study in Child Indicators Research attests to the positive psychological effects of story reading on adolescents, showing that “story reading led to improvement in students’ mindfulness, optimism, happiness, and positive emotions, and also caused a reduction in depression, anxiety, pessimism, and other negative emotions.”

The benefits of reading for pleasure from early childhood are not only psychological. An observational study published in Psychological Medicine in 2023 shows that researchers observed “a dramatic and positive link” between reading for pleasure in early childhood and better cognition, mental health, and educational attainment in adolescence.

Modeling the behavior we want to see is crucial. Adults who read with children, talk about books, and share their own love of reading have a hugely positive influence. The UK’s largest children’s reading charity, BookTrust, conducted  2023 research that found: “Children with parents/carers who like reading themselves are more likely to develop a long-lasting love for reading.”

It’s also essential to emphasize the ‘pleasure’ element. Reading competes with so many other forms of entertainment for children’s attention that it has to be seen as something magical, with no strings attached. The quickest way to thwart that joy and enchantment? Testing a kid on what they've just read. Similarly, children (and adults) should be able to abandon any book they’re not enjoying – without fear of judgment.

Parents and teachers should infuse every reading experience with fun and excitement. Humor, funny voices, dwelling on detailed descriptions of nasty things: There are endless ways to bring a book to life.

“Children with parents/carers who like reading themselves are more likely to develop a long-lasting love for reading.”

Illustration by Marie-Eve Tremblay

Primary teacher and SENCO Claire Yates has explored CS Lewis’ children’s classic, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, with classes of all ages. “The classic baddie character of the White Witch, and Edmund’s actions, always spark real interest and discussion. I have had many interesting debates with children about who would take the Turkish Delight and who would be faithful to their family.” 

In exploring characters and themes, the students learn more than they realize: “From an educational point of view, this is a time to introduce new language, writing techniques, and more,” Yates says.

As students become more independent readers, a combination of competing interests, too many set texts, and assigned reading lists could mean they need further encouragement to keep the flames of interest burning bright.

School libraries can provide this by creating a safe, inclusive, accessible space for students. Book groups, competitions, events, an in-house magazine, a brilliant student librarian team, and a roster of visits from inspirational writers to excite students could contribute to tangible “book buzz” in the school library.

The looming presence of the digital age might seem to pose a threat to the traditional printed word. Yet, used correctly, technology can provide an added dimension to the reading experience. Establishing a library Twitter account could offer a unique opportunity for students to interact directly with authors and fellow readers. Now that Twitter is X, the phenomenal rise of TikTok’s reading community BookTok has provided an alternative way for social media to foster a love of reading.

Tablets and e-readers have a role to play. E-books and AR books provide a new medium that suits some more than others. With research in its infancy, no firm conclusions can yet be drawn. Primary teacher Yates doesn’t believe tablets can supplant books for her children: “The reading experience is just not the same. Turning the pages, the smell of a book, these are things you just can’t get from technology.”

However, tablets can be used for apps and accessibility tools such as EasyReader and OpenDyslexic font, enhancing the reading experience for students with additional learning needs.

Picture books, graphic novels, and audiobooks also play an important role in widening the appeal of reading to the more reluctant participants, while movie and TV adaptations inevitably drive children to seek out the original titles. 

Children’s author SF Said, former writer-in-residence at BookTrust UK, firmly believes that every child can be a reader and read for pleasure. He says, “Reading for pleasure has the biggest positive impact of any factor on children’s life chances.” 

Enjoy the journey together—raising children has its challenges, but the rewards are priceless.

Angela Yates is a UK-based freelance writer, editor, and photographer who specializes in wellness, education, mindfulness, technology, books, and nature and is currently working on a children’s novel.