How Reading Attitudes Impact Wellbeing, Academic Attainment, and Engagement

World Book Day is not just about celebrating stories and characters - it's about encouraging children to develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Amidst the excitement and dressing up, it's vital to remember that reading in school goes beyond mere skills and abilities. This blog will explore the importance of reading attitudes and explore how schools can measure, shape, and utilise these to cultivate children's habits, achievement, engagement, and wellbeing.

Why do children's attitudes to reading matter?

Reading isn't just about acquiring information - it's about fostering a lifelong love for learning, exploration, and imagination. Children's attitudes towards reading shape their relationship with books and written materials, influencing how they engage with learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. As well as being one of the greatest indicators of academic success, it is generally accepted that reading for pleasure positively affects mental health, self-esteem, empathy, behaviour, and much more.

How does reading impact children’s wellbeing?

Books are powerful wellbeing tools in their own right! Reading provides children with endless opportunities to escape from day-to-day worries and explore new situations and different emotions. The process of engaging with many different characters helps children develop their empathy and learn about cultures and relationships. It is also no secret that in difficult times these characters can provide a sense of comfort and help children and adults feel less alone.

How does reading impact attainment?

Research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between positive attitudes towards reading and academic success. Children who enjoy reading are more likely to actively engage with learning in the classroom, leading to improved literacy skills, vocabulary development, and comprehension abilities. A love for reading also fosters a curiosity for learning, encouraging children to explore diverse subjects and topics beyond the curriculum.

Positive attitudes towards reading ignite curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Children who view reading as enjoyable and rewarding are more likely to seek out books and other reading materials, driven by a genuine interest in expanding their horizons. This intrinsic motivation leads to greater engagement with learning opportunities, fostering creativity, critical thinking skills, and a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.

How can you measure children’s reading attitudes?

While the importance of reading attitudes is clear, measuring them presents a unique challenge. Unlike academic attainment, which can be easily quantified through assessments and standardised tests, reading attitudes are more subjective and nuanced. Traditional measures such as reading logs or self-report surveys may not capture the full complexity of children's attitudes towards reading.

To address this challenge, we have worked with The National Literacy Trust and The School Library Association to create the ‘Attitude to Reading Survey’, which provides valuable insights into students' reading habits, perceptions, and attitudes. The survey is designed to provide teachers with a deeper understanding of their students' relationship with reading and identify any areas for improvement.

Choice and agency in reading matter, and if you want to motivate young readers, knowing what they like to read and enabling them to choose is essential. The survey proves invaluable in this aspect by delving into students' reading habits, preferences, and attitudes that help teachers

Take Action Today:

Ready to measure and nurture reading attitudes in your school? Make the most of our Word Book Day offer and run the "Attitude to Reading" survey for just £99 with discount code ‘WBD2024’. This will help you confidently evaluate your reading-for-pleasure strategy and ensure pupils have access to a wide range of relevant reading materials.

Run the survey – click here