Hampstead School Parent Portal - Hampstead School Newsletter [09/07/2026]

Summer Reading

We would like to take the opportunity to highlight the importance of reading for pleasure, and the positive impact it can have on your child’s development and future. Even a small amount of reading each day can have a significant impact on children and help foster a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Research consistently shows that there are numerous benefits to reading for pleasure, which support various aspects of your child’s life, from their mental wellbeing to their physical health and success in life. In addition to this, reading can be an incredibly enriching and fun thing to do!

At Hampstead School, we are fortunate to have a large library, which is regularly updated with the latest books and graphic novels, so please encourage your child to come to the library and borrow a book. During the summer holidays, we encourage you to explore your local library, where anyone can borrow books for free.

Here are just some of the ways that reading can benefit your child:

Educational Benefits

Reading improves your memory.

Readers learn something new every day.

Reading broadens your vocabulary and improves your writing and speaking.

Reading improves your spelling and grammar.

Reading improves concentration and focus.

Mental Health and Wellbeing benefits

Reading can reduce stress and anxiety

Studies have found that reading for pleasure enhances empathy, understanding of the self, and the ability to understand one's own and others' identities.

Reading enables you to escape everyday stresses and worries.

19% of readers said that reading made them feel less lonely.

An online poll of over four thousand people found that people reported stronger feelings of relaxation from reading than from watching television or engaging with technology-intensive activities.

Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations.

Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction.

Health Benefits

Reading can lower your heartrate and blood pressure.

Reading can bring existing neural pathways in the brain to life.

Frequent brain exercise, like reading, decreases mental decline in older people by up to 32%.

Recent studies reported those who read for 30 minutes a day had longer life spans than those who didn’t.

Reading for pleasure is associated with better sleeping patterns.

Lifetime Benefits

People who read are statistically more likely to have successful careers.

People who read for pleasure are more likely to vote, exercise and be more interested in arts and culture.

Adults with lower levels of literacy are more likely to believe that they have little impact on political processes and are less likely to participate in volunteer activities.