11 Dec 2024

Transforming teens through reading

We all know the pleasure gained from settling down and reading a good book. It expands our knowledge and boosts health and wellbeing. These are all great benefits that we, as parents and educators, want to see children and teens experience. Reading remains the paramount skill for learning, so the best way to learn how to process and use information effectively is through being the best readers we can be. Reading for leisure achieves this, and more. Churchie’s Teacher Librarian Alene Morley has provided a summary of the research on the benefits of reading for leisure.

Academic benefits of reading

The benefits of reading for leisure (RFL) on our academic, social and health outcomes have been thoroughly researched and categorically proven for decades. Fundamentally, humans have evolved to communicate and learn through sharing stories^[1]. We are more likely to pay attention (and remember details) when somebody is telling a story rather than delivering a lecture. So, reading stories, whether they be fictional or true narratives, makes reading more accessible and enjoyable.

Self-directed reading improves academic performance

The academic benefits of RFL are significant. Self-directed readers (people who choose to read for leisure) have better academic success in terms of reading speed, accuracy and comprehension, a greater general knowledge, better verbal and written abilities, and overall higher school achievement.^[2]–[3] Consequently, healthy reading habits are four times more influential on intellectual progress in teens than having a parent with a degree.^[4]

Social benefits of reading

The social benefits of RFL are equally impressive. People who regularly read for leisure have been found to be happier, more likely to believe that life is rewarding and have an increased understanding of human nature.^[5]  RFL allows us to vicariously experience complicated situations and emotions (especially empathy) because reading actively involves both our thoughts and our feelings.^[6] Reading for just 30 minutes a week means we are 57% more likely to have a greater awareness of other cultures, too.^[4]

Health benefits of reading

RFL also has some interesting health benefits. Reading is one of the most effective ways to de-stress because it requires our concentration on other ‘worlds’, forcing a disconnect from the stresses of our real life.^[7]  Reading in bed (with our feet level with our heart) is particularly relaxing because it slows our heart rate too. Reading at bedtime therefore helps induce sleep, and 43% of readers surveyed said reading helps them get a better night’s sleep.^[4] A 20% reduction in mortality was even observed for those who read books (30 mins a day), compared to those who did not read books.^[4]

So, how do we encourage young people to read for leisure? This question has also been the subject of significant research recommendations which are achievable if we understand the essential elements of true RFL. We need to provide students with autonomy, opportunity and access. That is, the autonomy of choice, since 89% of Australians aged 6 to 17 years agree their favourite book was self-chosen⁴; the opportunity to read (at home and school); and easy access to reading materials.^[8]–[9]  This is something our Churchie libraries seek to achieve by carefully curating our extensive collection of print, eBooks and audiobooks catered to the interests of Churchie students.

Barriers to reading for leisure

However, there are also barriers to RFL as identified by adolescents. They express a common difficulty in finding a ‘good book’ and finding the time to read.⁴ Reading books is perceived as requiring more effort and commitment than scrolling or viewing. Unfortunately, digital reading of snippets of information (texts, chats, blogs, online forums etc.) has been found to reduce the ability to read extended and complex texts.^[10]

Researchers have also identified a range of other barriers to RFL. Most significantly, adolescents need to develop an identity as a reader.^[11] The barriers to this are a perception that it is not ‘cool’ to be a reader; the fear of negative judgement of their reading choices by their peers, teachers or family; less encouragement from adults and peers to RFL after primary school; and, critically, the increased access to digital devices as they age, which encroaches on RFL time.^[12]

What can we do to help?

To assist a young person to identify as a reader we need to model it for them. Parents can share with their children good reading experiences and habits. Discuss how you fit reading into your daily life, what you love about reading or what you are looking forward to reading in the future. 

Book discussions also create a social reading environment that invites engagement, especially if they are reader-led, informal and about texts that tempt. Critical group discussion of books has been associated with more significant higher-level learning than more traditional teacher-centred approaches.^[13] Churchie’s literature circles units are highly recommended! A rule of thumb to encourage book discussion is to avoid judgement about another’s reading choices and to truly listen to what they tell us about their reading. There really are excellent literacy skills developed through reading comics, too, especially manga.

The role of reading aloud

Reading aloud (with enthusiasm) has been found to increase RFL.⁹  Rest assured that the time parents spend reading to their kids is well spent, with 86% of Australian children surveyed (aged 6 to 17) claiming to have loved (or really liked) the special time of being read aloud to by their parents.⁴  An audiobook on a long commute or drive is a fantastic way to fit another story into daily life. Audiobooks provide many of the benefits of reading text in terms of exposure to the language choices of the author and disconnecting from daily life. Listening to an audiobook whilst simultaneously reading the text enhances reading speed and accuracy too.

RFL also needs to be woven into daily life by making opportunities in terms of time and space. At home, a bedside lamp is essential to develop a bedtime reading habit. The need to get out of bed to turn off the light is a guaranteed RFL deterrent! Time away from digital devices is also necessary for most young people so they can learn to focus for more extended reading periods.

RFL is a habit that we all need to include in everyday life. Its benefits are extensive but engendering the habit in reluctant, busy, distracted teens requires a village to help them identify as readers by modelling and discussing RFL as well as respecting their reading choices and opinions.