This article is brought to you by Slough Borough Council, on behalf of Book Trust, for the attention of all Schools and Early Years settings.
The benefits of reading
From babies to children in their early years and all the way through to early teens, reading brings profound and wide-ranging benefits that can have a lifelong positive impact on children’s lives.
Reading supports children to:
Overcome inequalities before they deepen
They can experience better educational and social mobility. Children growing up in poverty are less likely to remain in poverty as adults. Throughout school, they are more likely to overcome the barriers caused by disadvantage.
Bond with their caregivers and experience better mental wellbeing
Feelings of security and bonds with parents/carers are enhanced. Children are more likely to have healthy routines and habits. They are more likely to experience better mental wellbeing, self-esteem and socio-emotional skills.
Meet early development milestones and do better at school
Brain development, attention, and cognitive ability are all enhanced. Children have better school readiness and make more progress across the curriculum. They have better speech and language development and literacy skills.
Develop empathy, creativity and imagination
Children build empathy by reading fiction. They develop creative problem-solving skills, and they develop their creativity and imagination.
Did you know that shared reading supports children to overcome inequalities before they deepen? 
Children experience better educational and social mobility - and those growing up in poverty are less likely to remain in poverty as adults.
Find out how: https://bit.ly/3JNgfjT