What are the benefits of reading? Discovering the Strength of Words and Growing Young Minds

In a fast-paced world filled with vast information, and infinite distractions, one always forgets the overpowering influence of reading a book. Yet, reading has an exceptional power.

Reading is more than just a hobby or a way to relax; it opens the door to knowledge, introduces us to new ideas, and helps us grow as individuals. The benefits of reading go beyond just the words on the page, whether it’s a story, an informative book, or something in between.

1. Enriching Minds and Widening Perspectives
   What are the most unrivaled benefits of reading? Well! It is the ability to broaden perspectives, expand knowledge and our horizons, and enrich young minds. Books open doors to generations of insight, timeless wisdom, novel cultures, and perspectives. One can experience anything by engulfing in the lives of others and diving deep into their experiences. This is helpful for our understanding of the universe, nurtures compassion, and empowers us to face real-world challenges with fresh perspectives.
   Famous American businessman, philanthropist, and the most successful investor of the 20th Century, Warren Buffet quotes1, “Read 500 pages…every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.” Pierznik, C. (2018, September 18)¹.
2. Enhancing Linguistic Abilities and Communication Proficiency
   Reading regularly boosts vocabulary, grammar, and language understanding by exposing us to new words, phrases, sentence structures, and grammatical patterns. Reading is essential for language development, whether children develop foundational literacy skills or adults refine communication skills. With this, both written and verbal communication becomes stronger and due to the increased proficiency, there is success in both professional and personal growth.
   By developing decoding and comprehension skills, individuals can excel in the process of learning to read. The Simple View of Learning² theory includes mastering both skills for strong reading comprehension. Many programs offer skills for stronger reading comprehension; SKIDOS IRIS, I Read I Succeed, is one such ‘learn to read’ phonics program. It’s a learning adventure for young children to discover the hidden treasures of decoding words, learning sight words, and creating new words; thereby building early reading skills. Kids with low reading proficiency whether in kindergarten or first grade through other grades or even adults can play and learn to read with SKIDOS IRIS with fluency and accuracy. There are other learn-to-read literacy programs too; like Room to Read, Duolingo app, etc. which the kids can play.
3. Alleviating Stress and Promoting Mental Well-Being
   Reading provides a peaceful escape, in this world filled with persistent pressures. Reading a good book can whisk you to a different realm, providing a brief retreat from daily concerns. Well! Just six minutes of reading can lower stress levels by as much as 68% (as per research³)! Reading helps you with mental well-being; encourages mindfulness, offers comfort and relaxation, and presents fresh perspectives on navigating life’s challenges. Reading reduces stress. Fact. – Medicine in Literature. (2023, January 19).
4. Enhancing Cognitive Abilities
   Exercising is important for our bodies, but how do our brains exercise? Yes, it is by reading! It improves memory, increases understanding, sharpens focus, and activates complex thinking skills. Research⁴ shows that continuous reading can help delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults. The cognitive activation and engagement from reading boost creativity and help you stay sharp by encouraging the brain to form new synaptic networks.
5. Developing Emotional Awareness and Understanding
   What is Emotional Awareness? A perfect illustration would be experiencing life vicariously through the emotions and journeys of fictional characters. Yes, reading fictional stories draws us into the inner worlds of characters. This fosters emotional awareness. One learns to recognize, understand, and identify their feelings and those of others. This means knowing how others feel, understanding why certain feelings happen, and knowing how emotions affect thoughts and actions. This skill is a key part of emotional intelligence. It helps build better relationships, encourages empathy, and improves communication.
6. A Pathway to Innovation and Imagination
   What stimulates creativity? It’s reading indeed! Reading sparks creativity by stimulating the imagination. Reading a vividly portrayed world of fantasy story or a deeply touching write-up welcomes you to visualize and decipher creative imagination. This encourages people to come up with new ideas in their lives. Hence, this creative stimulation helps in problem-solving and sparks innovation in every field of life.
7. Nurturing a Passion for Continuous Learning
   Reading not only helps expand our horizons, promote well-being, and enhance communication and creativity, but it also insulates passion and makes us continuous learners. It makes our minds inquisitive and nurtures a quest for knowledge. It stays with us throughout our lifetime, motivating us to pursue new knowledge, vision, and profound realities relentlessly.
   Here’s⁵ what Malcolm Mitchell, a Superbowl champion, author, and literacy advocate says about reading. “Reading was seen as something I thought was boring, not cool, and not fun,” Malcolm said. “As I grew up, I realized in order to reach my full potential and be the best I could be, I would need to read regardless of whatever situation I’m dealing with – if I’m at home or school.”

Conclusion

So, what’s the power of reading? Yes, reading is an enduring skill in the contemporary world. The impact of reading transcends time. Reading offers a gateway to rediscover thoughtful reflection and foster meaningful personal growth. It transforms us into profound thinkers, effective communicators, and empathetic humans. For a valuable investment in cognitive development and emotional wellness, reading should become a lifelong habit, be it through e-books, audiobooks, fiction, or paperbacks! Let’s embark on a new journey, open a new chapter, and unlock the limitless possibilities hidden within the leaves of an exceptional book.
So, let’s learn to read religiously!

References

¹Pierznik, C. (2018, September 18). 20 Quotes about Books and Reading from Entrepreneurs and World Leaders. Medium. https://medium.com/the-passion-of-christopher-pierznik-books-rhymes/20-quotes-about-books-and-reading-from-entrepreneurs-and-world-leaders-8188a5519856#:~:text=17.,of%20you%20will%20do%20it.%E2%80%9D

²Learning to read: “The Simple View of Reading.” (2022, December 2). National Center on Improving Literacy. https://improvingliteracy.org/brief/learning-read-simple-view-reading/

³Reading reduces stress. Fact. – Medicine in Literature. (2023, January 19). https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/medlit/2023/01/19/reading-reduces-stress-fact/

⁴Wang, Y., Wang, S., Zhu, W., Liang, N., Zhang, C., Pei, Y., Wang, Q., Li, S., & Shi, J. (2022). Reading activities compensate for low education-related cognitive deficits. Alzheimer S Research & Therapy, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-022-01098-1

⁴Pegoraro, S., Facchin, A., Luchesa, F., Rolandi, E., Guaita, A., Arduino, L. S., & Daini, R. (2024b). The Complexity of Reading Revealed by a Study with Healthy Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 14(3), 230. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14030230

⁵Fiske, A. (2023b, July 20). Malcolm Mitchell shows students the magic of reading. New England Patriots. https://www.patriots.com/news/malcolm-mitchell-shows-students-the-magic-of-reading-295506#:~:text=%22Reading%20was%20seen%20as%20something,at%20home%20or%20at%20school.%22

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