A study from the University of London has proved that reading for pleasure can be a huge factor in kids’ grades when they’re between the ages of 10 and 16.
Researchers examined the academic performance, including test scores, of 6,000 adolescents from the same social backgrounds who performed at the same level when they were 5 and 10 years old. Their findings? Those who read regularly outside of school did significantly better in math, spelling and vocabulary. The effect of reading books often, going to the library and reading the newspaper for current events was four times greater than the typical influence of their parents’ level of education, which is usually a big factor in evaluating how a child will do in school.
Are you a big-time, out-of-school reader? How do you think reading helps you?