Decline in children's pleasure reading linked to empathy development concerns
This article examines the declining trend of children reading for pleasure and its implications for their development, particularly empathy and cognitive skills. It reports that only 37% of 9-year-olds and 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost daily in 2025, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The piece explores how increased focus on evidence-based reading instruction in schools has reduced time for pleasure reading, and discusses the benefits of voluntary reading including improved empathy, imagination, and academic performance.
Key quotes
Just 37% of 9-year-olds and 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2025, according to the National Assessment of
Reading for pleasure also helps children learn more effectively and broadens how they view, interpret and interact with the world.
It gives them a form of expression that fuels their imagination and empathy for themselves and others.
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