Children, young people and audiobooks before and during lockdown

New research by the National Literacy Trust shows that audiobooks have the potential to be a key resource for children’s literacy and wellbeing. Even if children struggle with reading, audiobooks allow them to access the benefits of books including developing their vocabulary, developing empathy, helping them learn how to express themselves and accessing educational content.

The report found that 7 in 10 (69.5%) children and young people said that listening to audiobooks makes it easier to understand the content of a book. This number is even higher for boys (71.7%) and children who receive free school meals (74%).

It also also found that nearly 1 in 4 (23.4%) children and young people said that they have listened to audiobooks more than before lockdown. The main reasons children gave for this increase in audiobook listening was having extra time and to help them relax.