Each year, when I
ask students what sorts of things they like to read, some of them inevitably
tell me, “I don’t read.” I’m going to make a bold statement here and say that
most problems in our world could be solved if people at all ages would read
more often. It may sound like I’m being dramatic, but I’m 100% serious! And I
have scientific backing.
Reading
improves fluid intelligence, which is the ability to think critically and to
detect patterns. It also establishes additional
neurological connections and shows a likely link between reading and
significantly higher IQ scores. For children especially, reading can make a
significant difference in their future ability to make valuable brain
connections. When a child doesn’t read, it creates a vast gulf that the
child will never be able to bridge as an adult.
It
may seem obvious that reading makes someone more intelligent, but there are
other differences between readers and non-readers. Countless studies have shown
that not only does reading relax people and help them sleep better, it also
makes people more empathetic. Reading fiction in particular has been shown to boost
compassion and create a more charitable mindset. Naturally, having a world
in which more people are empathetic and compassionate would eliminate countless
problems that exist, such as bullying and discrimination, as well as build
larger-scale philanthropy that could eliminate issues as complex as world
hunger and cancer. There are also direct connections between reading and future career potential as
well as reading and broader
social skills. Reading basically makes you a superhero.
These are all reasons why I get
so passionate about reading! Clearly, reading is a big deal. Maybe it seems a
bit extreme, but I’d argue that going without your daily dose of books,
especially as a kid or young adult, can actually be more damaging to your
health than a daily sugary soda.
When I think about the power of
reading, I consider my struggling students, especially the ones who need so
much more support than I can offer during our individual meetings every week. I
wonder how much of a difference it would make if society placed a higher value
on reading, if every parent pulled a book out each evening before bed.
