Exam season can be an intense time for children and young people. Whether they are preparing for SATs, GCSEs or other important assessments, the pressure to perform can sometimes leave them feeling anxious, overwhelmed and mentally exhausted. During these stressful periods, reading for pleasure can offer something incredibly valuable: a chance to relax, escape and recharge.
Research consistently shows that reading can reduce stress, improve wellbeing and support mental health. Becoming absorbed in a story can lower heart rate, ease tension and provide a welcome break from worries about revision, grades and deadlines. Books can also help young people process emotions, build empathy and develop resilience by allowing them to see the world through different perspectives.
However, during exam periods, reading can easily become associated solely with schoolwork. When children spend hours reading textbooks, revision guides and exam questions, they may begin to see all reading as another task on their to-do list. This is why it is so important to help them recognise the difference between reading for learning and reading for pleasure.
One of the key features of reading for pleasure is volition. Children choose to read because they want to, not because they have to. This sense of choice matters. When young people select their own books, magazines, comics or audiobooks, they are more likely to enjoy the experience and engage deeply with what they are reading.
Ownership is equally important. Giving children access to a wide range of reading materials and allowing them to decide what interests them helps create a personal connection with reading. Not every child will want to read a lengthy novel during exam season, and that is perfectly fine. Short stories, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction and audiobooks can all provide meaningful reading experiences.
Agency also plays a significant role. Children should feel empowered to read in ways that suit them. They might choose to read for ten minutes before bed, listen to an audiobook while walking, or revisit a favourite book that offers comfort and familiarity. When reading becomes something they control, rather than something imposed upon them, it can become a powerful tool for wellbeing.
Parents, carers, teachers and librarians can support this by creating low-pressure reading environments. Avoid turning pleasure reading into another target or challenge. Instead, celebrate reading as a source of enjoyment, relaxation and personal growth. Give your child access to a variety of formats - ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, graphic novels and novels and create a relaxing atmosphere for them to read in, away from the place where they may have been studying.
As we help children navigate SATs, GCSEs and the many challenges that lie beyond, we should remember that reading is more than an academic skill. It can be a refuge, a source of comfort and a lifelong companion that supports mental health and wellbeing long after the exams are over.