Kids with this hobby make better test takers, new Cambridge study suggests—and enjoy better mental health
, a long-running project that tracks brain development and child health in the United States.
The team analyzed clinical interviews, cognitive tests, mental and behavioral assessments and brain scans from 10,000 adolescents in the United States. It then compared those who beganbetween ages two and nine to those who began reading later in life, or not at all. Those who started read recreationally at an early age had better verbal learning, memory, speech development, and academic achievement than their peers who weren't picking up books for fun.Kids who read for pleasure had better mental well-being, showed fewer signs of depression or stress, and had fewer behavioral problems, the researchers found. They spent less time looking at screens, like TVs and phones, and were able to sleep longer.
When looking at brain scans of the kids, researchers found that those who read for pleasure had greater brain area and volume, including in regions that are related to cognitive functions.More is not always better, though. Kids who exceeded 12 hours per week in reading experienced a decrease in cognition, which might be due to too much sedentary time.
"Reading isn't just a pleasurable experience – it's widely accepted that it inspires thinking and creativity, increases empathy and reduces stress," Barbara Sahakian, a professor at the University of Cambridge department of psychiatry,"On top of this, we found significant evidence that it's linked to important developmental factors in children, improving their cognition, mental health, and brain structure, which are cornerstones for future learning and well-being.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spy Kids: Armageddon - Release Date, Trailer & Everything We Know About Netflix's Spy Kids RebootThe 2000s family franchise Spy Kids is getting a reboot courtesy of Netflix called Spy Kids: Armageddon. Here's everything that's known about it.
Read more »
Multiscale Modeling in Neuroethology: The Significance of the Mesoscale | Philosophy of Science | Cambridge CoreThe significance of the mesoscale in multiscale neuroethology modeling sfi_news
Read more »
Am I Being Overprotective?On today’s show: The anti-racism fight club, reckless parenting, and the power of naps.
Read more »
10 Best Western Movies For KidsOne of the oldest and popular movie genres, westerns attract audiences of all ages, and these are the best ones for kids to watch with their families.
Read more »
When kids specialize in a sport, remember these training principlesDespite well-documented risks, up to 30 percent of youth athletes today play a single sport to the exclusion of others.
Read more »