On 9 June 2026, an article was published by Lauriston School titled 'Reading Every Day: One of the Greatest Gifts We Can Give Our Children', available here. Excerpts from the article follow:
One of the simplest and most powerful things we can do for our children costs very little, requires no special equipment, and can have lifelong benefits.Read every day.
As educators, we spend a great deal of time discussing literacy, achievement, curriculum, assessment, and learning outcomes. Yet the research continues to point us toward a surprisingly simple truth: children who read regularly for pleasure are more likely to succeed not only at school, but in life.
Reading for pleasure has been linked to stronger literacy skills, improved vocabulary, greater academic achievement, enhanced empathy, better mental wellbeing, and stronger social connections. In fact, the National Library of New Zealand describes reading for pleasure as "a door to success," highlighting its positive impact on learning, health, and wellbeing.
Importantly, this doesn't just apply to children who are already strong readers.
The benefits are seen across all ability levels. Children who develop a habit of reading regularly often make greater progress over time because reading itself becomes the engine that drives further learning. The more children read, the more words they encounter, the more knowledge they gain, and the more confident they become as learners. ...
For younger children, being read to aloud is especially powerful. Hearing rich language, engaging with stories, and sharing books with trusted adults strengthens communication skills and builds strong foundations for future learning. Just as importantly, reading together creates moments of connection in an increasingly busy world.
Posted: Wednesday 1 July 2026