Life changes when you choose reading

We all know the importance of being able to read, yet it is less widely recognised that one of the most effective ways to reduce socio-economic disadvantage, raise academic attainment and improve wellbeing is to encourage children to read for pleasure i.e. to choose to read.

Put simply, encouraging children to choose to read gives them a greater advantage in life. 

At Coram Beanstalk, we have over 50 years of experience in encouraging children to choose to read. We want to share this expertise to help people encourage children to read in the home, and to mobilise community action to help children in schools who need extra support.

Through a survey of Mumsnet users in July 2024, we found that many children choose screen time over reading. At Coram Beanstalk we want more children to choose reading, because life changes when you choose reading.