Books, Literacy

The Benefits of Reading

With the rise of advancements in the digital world, reading for enjoyment has sadly decreased among certain age groups. Distracted by online games, social media, and other forms of entertainment, children are reading less and less. Many see this as a boring activity and have little or no motivation to pick up a book.

Nowadays, it’s vital to encourage children to read more and more due to the many benefits it can offer. Not only does it improve certain functions in the brain, but it can also have a positive effect on children’s academic performance! Read on to discover the many advantages that reading can have on the brain and why children should be encouraged to develop a love for reading early.

  1. Keeps the Brain Active

Reading novels keeps students’ minds active and helps improve the functions of certain areas of the brain. This can help pupils both academically and in their everyday lives!

The act of reading words and sentences affects the left temporal cortex, which is responsible for processing language. The neurons in the brain are firing information which keeps their minds working. The area which plays a part in motor function, the central sulcus, also gets very active. Let’s say they are reading a novel about a person who is fighting in an epic battle. Though they are not actually doing this action, their brain imagines it is which enhances their mental function. A study at Stanford University shows that close literary reading is the best type of reading to boost mental activity, as it increases blood flow to different areas of the brain.

Memory is also improved the more a student reads. In novels, there are a range of characters, plot points, and settings to remember. Every time the brain generates a memory, new pathways in the brain are formed and ones that are already established, get stronger. This improves their short-term memory.

The more students read, the more their brains will function differently and more efficiently, which is why it’s important to start encouraging them to read at a young age.

2. Broadens Vocabulary

As children read, they are exposed to a variety of new words. Learning different words in context will broaden their vocabulary ten-fold!

Having a broad vocabulary can help students in myriad ways in their lives. For instance, when writing and speaking in school, this toolbox of words will come in handy when giving a presentation or writing an essay. This can also benefit students in the real world when they graduate high school, as universities always look for students who are well-spoken and well rounded. If students can speak with confidence and are able to express themselves in a variety of ways, they will go far in life.

This will also help them later when they get their first job and pursue their chosen career. The more articulate you are, the more you are able to connect with people and become a master communicator.

3. Improves Writing Skills

It’s no surprise that with a broad vocabulary, a student will also enhance their writing skills.

The more a student reads, the more they will be exposed to different genres and various styles of writing. By looking closely at sentence structure, tone, and over all good work, students can take note of what truly makes writing great. Pupils can learn from the masters and begin to exercise their own abilities through practice.

This skill is essential for university and their professional lives at work. Throughout a student’s academic journey, different forms of writing will be required; plus, no matter the profession a student wishes to pursue, having an ability to write well will help them in more ways than one.

Choose Inspiration Learning Center

Inspiration Learning Center knows the value of reading, which is why we encourage all of our students to read everyday. Give your child the opportunity to learn with us and allow them to benefit from this activity in all the ways listed above!

Spread across fourteen locations, we are a tutoring center which aims to assist in your child’s academic improvement. No matter the subject, we have qualified tutors who can help your son or daughter excel.  For more information visit www.inspirationlearningcenter.ca or call us 905-415-8257.

Sources:

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/why-reading-is-important/
https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/understanding-reading-engagement/reading-for-pleasure-a-door-to-success