Reading is an exercise for the mind. It helps
kids calm down and relax, opening doors of new knowledge to enlighten their
minds. Kids who read grow up to have better cognitive skills.
Reading is good for everyone, not only children or young adults. On the
internet you will find many lists with up to 30 reasons why reading is
important. Here I limit myself to 15 thoroughly substantiated reasons.
1.
Reading improves vocabulary-
Even as adults, when we read, we come across many new words we never
really heard of. And we learn from this. As you read, you come across new
words, phrases and writing styles.
This is even more so for young people. Children sometimes stumble over their words,
do not know how to pronounce them or what they mean. By reading, young people
encounter new words more frequently and sometimes repetitively and therefore
can see them better in their context. If you then pay attention to the
pronunciation as a parent, these children will be better prepared for school.
2.
Better comprehension-
Kids who are encouraged to read at an early age have better
comprehension of things around them. They develop smart thinking abilities and
are more receptive to creativity and ideas that other kids their age lack. As a
result, they grow up to be a good deal more intelligent and aware of their
surroundings than kids who don’t read.
The more you read, the more imaginative you become. Whenever you read a fiction
book, it takes you another world. In the new world, your imagination works at
its best as you try to see things in your own mind.
3.
Develops critical thinking skills-
One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop
critical thinking skills. For example, reading a mystery novel sharpens your
mind. What elements are there in a story to make this or that conclusion. Or if
a book is non-fiction you will sometimes ask yourself if the author is right.
Critical thinking skills are crucial when it comes to making important day to
day decisions. Reading requires an individual to think and process information
in a way that watching television can’t. The more you read, the deeper your
understanding becomes about what you’re reading and its application.
4.
Improves memory-
Every time you read a book, you have to remember the setting of the
book, the characters, their backgrounds, their history, their personalities,
the sub-plots and so much more. As your brain learns to remember all this, your
memory becomes better. What’s more, with every new memory you create, you
create new pathways and this strengthens the existing ones.
5.
Improves results at school-
Kids who indulge in reading book and learning new things do better at
school. They are more creative, open to new ideas, and develop empathy for
others. For instance, kids who read about heroes idolize them, kids who love
reading anatomy books dream of becoming a doctor, etc. They learn to empathize
with characters in the books and want to be like them. Not only that, they
learn valuable life lessons such as helping others and being kind. Moral codes
such as goods things will be appreciated and evils punished take root in their
minds too, as a result of which they learn to stay away from trouble.
6.
Improves analytical skills-
Figuring out how the story was going to end before finishing the book
means you utilized your analytical skills. Reading allows your thinking skills
to become more developed in the sense that you consider all aspects.
7.
Builds confidence-
In a world where competition in every walk of life prevails, we need to
build a child’s personality as to have considerable confidence in themselves.
Kids who lack confidence in their early stages often grow up to be shy, and at
times suicidal, since they develop a victim mentality owing to the lack of
confidence in their own self. They find it hard to face even the smallest of
challenges life throws at them, instead simply giving up. Reading books
sharpens many skills and all together they’ll build confidence.
8.
Helps you socialize-
We can always share whatever we have read with our family, friends and
colleagues. All this increases our ability to socialize. Humans are social
beings and in the world of smartphones, we are losing our ability to socialize.
However, reading had led to the formation of book clubs and other forums where
we get a chance to share and interact with others.
9.
Broadens horizons-
By reading books, you get a glimpse of other cultures and places. Books
expand your horizons, letting you see other countries, other people and so many
other things you have never seen or imagined. It’s the perfect way to visit a
strange country in your mind.
When we open a book while sitting in the comfort of our rooms, like time
travelling, we transport our imaginations to a world purely based on the
imaginations of the author. We learn about everything they wants u to know, see
the world through their eyes and their perspective, learn about new people,
discover their traditions, cultures and all that makes them unique and
unforgettable.
10.
Improves writing skills-
Reading a well-written book affects your ability to become a better
writer. Just like artists influence others, so do writers. Many successful
authors gained their expertise by reading the works of others.
Kids who learn to read also tend to develop better writing skills. The reason:
they have been introduced to a world where words are their main weapon and they
are free to shoot out. Literally! Parents must try to develop an interest for
writing. Kids with good writing skills don’t fall victim to cramming and can
express themselves more candidly through their words.
11.
Improves focus and concentration-
In our internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different
directions at once as we multi-task through every day. In a single 5-minute
span, the average person will divide their time between working on a task,
checking email, chatting with a couple of people (via gchat, skype, etc.),
keeping an eye on twitter, monitoring their smartphone, and interacting with
co-workers. This type of ADD-like behavior causes stress levels to rise, and
lowers our productivity. When you read a book, all of your attention is focused
on the story—the rest of the world just falls away, and you can immerse
yourself in every fine detail you’re absorbing. Try reading for 15-20 minutes
before work (i.e. on your morning commute, if you take public transit), and you’ll
be surprised at how much more focused you are once you get to the office or school.
12.
Makes you more empathetic-
According to studies, losing yourself in books, especially fiction,
might increase your empathy. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, researchers
showed that people who were “emotionally transported” by a work of fiction
experienced a boost in empathy. By reading a book, you become part of the story
and feel the pain and other emotions of the characters. This in turn allows
your mind to become more aware of how different things affect other people.
Eventually, this improves your ability to emphasize with other people.
13.
It develops emotions-
When you read a book, you are on the receiving end of knowledge. The
sender, the writer is delivering a message, imparting something of value, a
fact, an opinion, a view or at the very least an emotion. They are inviting you
into their own psyche and hoping that you will care enough to listen and
respond to it.
So it won’t be wrong to say that reading actually flexes emotions. It builds a
connection between the reader and the writer you have never met or known
before. Even if you disagree with what they are delivering, you get to know
them, and you connect to them on an emotional level.
14.
Readers are leaders-
Although not definitively proved, but almost all great leaders were
readers. One reason they are respected and known for their wisdom is because
they develop a healthy reading habit. For centuries, reading has been the
source of inspiration, growth and new ideas. It is a valuable investment in
one’s own personality with uncountable and long-lasting benefits. If you want
your child to become one, you need to encourage him to read. It will keep his
mind healthy and productive. Only then they will be able to impact the world in
a better way.
15.
Learn at your own pace-
Another benefit of reading a book is that you learn at your own pace.
Since you have the book all the time, you can always go back to a section you
feel you don’t understand. You can re-read a chapter as many times as you wish,
without worry that you will miss out a section. If it’s a self-help book, you
can tackle one issue at a time. Once you handle one problem, then you can move
to the next issue whenever you feel you’re ready. Everything is done at your
own pace and most importantly, your mind is free to interpret things the way
you feel.
Reading books also reduces stress, helps you sleep better, improves
health, develops your imagination and above all: it is just fun to do.
Reading has a tremendous effect in fueling all aspects of our personality and
enhancing our linguistic prowess. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the
entirety of human life depends on it. Whatever we grow up to become in our
lives, no matter where we stand, reading has somehow shaped it.
