Reading for Wellbeing/Mental Health Afternoon

On Wednesday in the Study Hub we celebrated, ‘Wellness,’ and the incredible impact reading for pleasure can have on positive mental health.

Experts in the field note how reading for pleasure can benefit adolescents in a plethora of ways.

Linda C. Mayes, M.D. (Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology Director of the Yale Child Study Center) says that  “literacy increases how students and families engage. Bringing children and families together around shared stories and narrative has a lifetime benefit as narrative brings people together and builds community.” She also notes that engagement with reading can reduce the amount of time children spend on social media and can improve empathy and emotional intelligence as they learn about other lifestyles, cultures and peoples.

Mayes, L. The World Literacy Foundation. (2024, August 6). Can Reading Improve Children’s Mental Health. https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/can-reading-improve-childrens-mental-health/

Students, parents and siblings were treated to a relaxing herbal tea or hot chocolate and were invited to sit and read in an afternoon session of shared reading activity.

Thank you to all who joined us on this occasion and modelled the importance of spending time with a book!

Mrs Nicole Harada, Teacher/Librarian