The power of reading for children’s mental wellbeing

At Bookmark, our mission is to spark the joy of reading in every child. We know that, while literacy is a fundamental skill to improve career prospects and life chances, it is also a strong foundation for healthy emotional development and mental wellbeing.

Reading for pleasure in early childhood can help youngsters perform better in school and boost their mental health as they enter their teenage years. A study by the National Literacy Trust found that reading books at home contributed to children and teens feeling happier, more relaxed and more equipped to deal with life problems.

They found ​“Children and young people who are the most engaged with literacy have better mental wellbeing than their peers who are the least engaged”. Their report highlights the significant impact that fostering a love for reading can have on the overall wellbeing of young people.

Let’s explore the power of reading for children’s mental wellbeing.

1. Emotional intelligence

Books provide a significant insight into human behaviour. Through learning about different lives and characters, children can connect better with their surroundings, helping them to understand the people around them and become aware of other cultures, backgrounds and life experiences – essential skills for later in life.

One volunteer found that over time her reader could ​“ask [her] questions and talk about things they’ve read that relate to their families and experiences”. This shows how literature cultivates empathy and communication skills, providing a way for children to reflect on their own identities and experiences. 

2. Validation

Books can also empower children to explore their own emotions. Some children may resonate with a character’s struggles or insecurities, which can provide them with a sense of validation and reassurance.

Through literature, children gain an insight into everyday challenges, realising they’re not alone and their feelings are perfectly normal. This sense of connection and understanding provides invaluable reassurance, support and a sense of safety, for children who have experienced trauma, life challenges and relationship difficulties.

3. Sense of achievement

A sense of achievement is fundamental to children’s emotional wellbeing, serving as a powerful motivator and source of confidence. Many of our volunteers have noticed a huge shift in confidence in their reader as they progress through books, conquer complex texts and absorb new knowledge.

This shows that children who experience success in reading can develop social and emotional competencies and reveals the transformative power of reading on children’s mental wellbeing.

This illustrates that their sense of achievement not only reinforces their love for reading but also boosts self-confidence and motivation for further reading – again, reinforcing the power of reading on children’s mental wellbeing.

4. Creativity, escapism and fun

For many children, books provide an escape from the pressures of everyday life. Whether they’re diving into a fantasy world or learning about the depths of the ocean, there’s plenty of books to spark anyone’s imagination and interests.

But, did you know that 1 in 5 children don’t own books at home?

Book ownership is fundamental for children’s mental wellbeing, as it gives them the freedom to relate to characters and explore their own emotions outside of a school environment. We provide packs full of stories, activities and games so that children can continue to enjoy reading in school and at home.

Explore our reading resource packages for children.

Make a difference in a child’s life

At Bookmark, we believe every child should experience the transformative power of reading. If you want to make a difference to a child’s life, discover how to become a reading volunteer.