Maths skills 'boosted by reading for fun'

Children who read books for fun do better at maths than other youngsters, new research suggests.

A report published today found that reading for pleasure is more important to a child’s development than how educated their parents are. The study, by researchers at the Institute of Education, University of London, is believed to be the first to look at the impact reading for pleasure has on children.

Researchers analysed the reading habits of around 6,000 children and their test results in maths, vocabulary and spelling at the ages of five, 10 and 16. They found children who read regularly got higher results in all three subjects.

The report found that reading for pleasure and regularly going to the library had a greater effect on children then having a parent with a degree.