How reading benefits both the brain and the body

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Recent reports show that Texas students struggle with reading. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) said some fourth through eighth graders failed to reach its "Basic" skills threshold.

NAEP's 2024 Nation's Report Card showed over 40% of fourth-grade students and about 39% of eighth-grade students in Texas failed to reach the basic skills threshold, according to the report.

NAEP said the reading scores of fourth graders in Texas dropped two percentage points, and that's the lowest point they've been since 1994.

"Reading has been well shown to have a major impact on children's development, and that includes development of language, increasing vocabulary and complexity of thought," said Dr. Karen Keough, a pediatrician and child neurologist at St. David's Children's Hospital.

Keough said reading has easily fallen by the wayside in the modern world. Being overshadowed by things like electronics and games, she said children may not be as interested in reading stories off pages when they have all kinds of content in the palms of their hands.

March is National Reading Month, and before the month comes to an end, here are all the reasons why Keough said reading could benefit the brain and the body.

Strengthening vocabulary

"Missing the opportunity to read is associated with more significant limitations in the development of vocabulary," Keough said. Spoken vocabulary is relevant to day-to-day experiences, she said.

Reading new words expands a child's vocabulary, opening their eyes to be aware that there is more to learn. Keough said the more kids read, the more they are curious.

"Without reading, you don't have as many opportunities to help a child grow," Keough said. There is even a new movement in young childhood development that encourages kids to read 1,000 books before kindergarten.

Keough said this is a very achievable goal for most children, and studies show it enhances school readiness and sets these children up for success. "It only takes three years to get over 1,000 books, and they start kindergarten at five. So, it's a very achievable goal," Keough said.

Mental health

Keough described reading as an "escape," a way to see different aspects of the world and even things people may never be able to physically see but imagine through the lines of the pages.

Keough said reading can help and improve a child's mental health, but it depends on whether the child has found the kind of reading they truly enjoy. Some children may feel more relaxed when reading graphic novels, and older or advanced children may feel better when reading dense chapter books.

"I think everyone has their taste about what kind of reading they're going to enjoy spending time doing, and I think that's the key because, like any other activity, if it's something you enjoy, you will seek it out more often," Keough said.

Some adults use reading as a form of stress relief, according to Keough. "Anything that reduces stress can have a very positive impact on health risks like high blood pressure or just cardiac stress in general," said Keough.

Empathy

Keough said reading can have a great influence on anyone's empathetic side. "It shows you different experiences that are foreign to you, and it forces people to take a mindset that isn't familiar to them," said Keough.

Sleep hygiene

Reading can benefit both adults' and children's sleep hygiene if you make the switch, toss the screen and grab a book. Keough said most medical experts often encourage this switch as a healthier bedtime activity.

"It's physically something you can do in a reclined position. It's quieter, and it lets the mind kind of slow down and get into a place that is more conducive to falling asleep more readily versus watching television shows or scrolling through social media, which can be very activating and can prevent you from relaxing into sleep," said Keough.

Starting your healthy reading journey

Whether you're looking to improve your own well-being or your child's, the best way to start, according to Keough, is by picking up the book. "I think it's about starting small and making it something that you do a little bit each day, and then it builds from there," Keough said.

Try not to start with a time goal, this could make the situation not fun or feel overwhelming. Begin with as much time as you can, however long you can stay focused for and increase the time you read day by day.

"That's how you build a habit, and you keep doing it over and over, and then it becomes natural because it becomes part of your routine," Keough said.