What are the benefits of reading for pleasure?
- Children who say they enjoy reading for pleasure are more likely to score well on reading assessments compared to pupils who said they enjoyed reading less
- There is some evidence to show that reading for pleasure is a more important determinant of children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status
- It can have a positive impact on pupils’ emotional and social behaviour
- It can have a positive impact on text comprehension and grammar.
What works in improving independent reading?
- An important factor in developing reading for pleasure is providing choice - choice and interest are highly related
- Parents and the home environment are essential to the early teaching of reading and fostering a love of reading; children are more likely to continue to be readers in homes where books and reading are valued
- Reading for pleasure is strongly influenced by relationships between teachers and children, and children and families.
A report on the evidence about reading for pleasure can be downloaded from the associated resources section below.
