Recommendation 1

Reading for pleasure brings a wealth of benefits to children and to wider society that cannot be ignored. Reading can give children a huge amount of joy and pleasure, and its benefits extend far beyond educational outcomes for an individual child. Reading acts as a window, offering the opportunity for children to gain insights into other backgrounds, cultures and experiences regardless of their start in life, forming a key cornerstone of social cohesion. It also acts as a mirror, helping children to see themselves in the world and to understand their own identity. It is not only a driver of attainment but a powerful force for connection, trust and shared experience, strengthening relationships within families and communities and supporting children’s emotional development and sense of belonging. (Conclusion, Paragraph 12)