The wellbeing benefits of reading for children
Find out how reading can bring wellbeing benefits for children with our new guide, compiled with support from children's mental health charity Place2Be.
On this page you can:
- Download our new guide
- Find extra resources to help you talk about books and wellbeing with your school community
- Get book recommendations that might help children to explore feelings and emotions
- Sign up for a webinar about reading and wellbeing
Download the guide
In our guide to reading and wellbeing you will find:
- Research findings and information about the different wellbeing benefits of reading
- How teachers and schools can promote these wellbeing benefits through reading
- Practical insights from Place2Be
- Top tips from a teacher to help you put it all into action
BookTrust research highlights a growing concern in primary schools - that as children get older, their enjoyment of reading decreases.
Children are spending less time reading overall, which means they are missing out on all the wider benefits that reading can offer. This includes benefits to children's wellbeing - something that is more important than ever before.
To help combat these worrying trends, BookTrust has produced a guide which includes both research evidence and actionable tips highlighting how reading enjoyment can improve children's wellbeing. We are also really excited to feature some suggestions from Place2Be, drawing on their invaluable experience providing mental health support in schools.
Assembly with Michael Rosen
We've put together an assembly for you to share with your students, featuring insights and thoughts from Michael Rosen.
Newsletter assets
Get suggested wording and images to share in your newsletter, so you can let families know about the link between reading and wellbeing.
Book recommendations
We've put together lists of books that could help children to explore feelings and emotions.
Picture books that encourage resilience
A selection of picture books for young readers that explore a variety of common childhood experiences, such as moving house, making a mistake and overcoming fears.
Books about feelings
Picture books can be a great way to get children to discuss their feelings.
Supporting a healthy mind
We've put together a selection of picture books that can help young children to start to understand mental health, support a healthy mind, and supply useful strategies.
Books to help your child feel more calm and mindful
Why should adults get all the self-help books? You can also find some lovely reads and activities for youngsters who need a little extra support to feel relaxed, mindful, grateful, inspired and happy.
Free webinar: Reading and wellbeing
Join BookTrust in conversation with rapper and educational consultant MC Grammar, deputy principal Kiran Satti, and author and children's therapist Becky Goddard-Hill.
