The University of Cambridge recently released findings (June 28, 2023) about the many cognitive and emotional benefits of reading for pleasure, starting at an early age: Reading for Pleasure Early in Childhood Linked to Better Cognitive Performance and Mental Wellbeing in Adolescence.

Researchers found that 12 hours a week of reading was optimal, leading to improved brain structure and eventually better learning ability. We can start with less time and build, being realisitic with our schedules. Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Warwick in the UK and Fudan University in China looked at data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development cohort in the US, and recruited over 10,000 young adolescents. Here are some of their findings:

“Of the 10,243 participants studied, just under a half (48%) had little experience of reading for pleasure or did not begin doing so until later in their childhood. The remaining half had spent between three and ten years reading for pleasure.

The team found a strong link between reading for pleasure at an early age and a positive performance in adolescence on cognitive tests that measured such factors as verbal learning, memory and speech development, and at school academic achievement.

These children also had better mental wellbeing, as assessed using a number of clinical scores and reports from parents and teachers, showing fewer signs of stress and depression, as well as improved attention and fewer behavioural problems such as aggression and rule-breaking.

Children who began reading for pleasure earlier also tended to spend less screen time – for example watching TV or using their smartphone or tablet – during the week and at weekends in their adolescence, and also tended to sleep longer,” (Univerisity of Cambridge study).

Let’s take information from the study and bullet some of the benefits:

• enhanced verbal learning
• improved speech development
• improved memory
• better academic achievement
• better mental health
• less stress, anxiety and depression
• less aggressive tendencies
• improved attention
• less screen time
• better sleep habits

Establishing a reading habit in the early years literally changes and molds the human brain. We learn about others, we learn about the world and other perspectives, and we learn about systems, how things work. As we are reading and thinking and processing, pathways are being established in our brains. There is cognitive and emotional change happening in our brains and our minds. These changes affect the way we learn and focus later as adults.

All of the benefits are significant as to quality of life! In today’s culture the last two benefits listed can have quite an impact (less screen time and better sleep). Let’s teach our kids that there is more to life than screen time and help them establish habits that will lead to better sleep and mental health. As we BOOK VALUABLE TIME WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOST VALUABLE TO US, we’re establishing life-long learning!

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