The Value of Reading

“Read every day!” is one of the most important good habits that I urge students to practice in Good Habits, Good Students.

Two items recently came to my attention that add to the evidence of reading’s benefits.

First, via Larry Ferlazzo, this study showing that reading actually makes our brains bigger:

Reading For Pleasure Makes Your Brain Grow (Literally)

Second, a study from Oxford University has concluded that among a long list of activities by 16-year-olds, reading is the only one that can be shown to result in higher educational attainment and better jobs when those teenagers leave school:

Reading at 16 linked to better job prospects

In addition, of course, reading enriches your life, whoever you are and whatever you do.

Conclusion? “Read every day!”