Reading and Verbal Ability, 2

Sandra Martin-Chang, professor of education in the Faculty of Arts and Science, and PhD student Stephanie Kozak (Concordia University)found that people who enjoyed reading fiction for leisure and who identified as a reader scored higher on language tests, whereas those who read to access specific information scored more poorly on the same tests. Studies have shown the benefits of reading. Besides having better verbal abilities, lifelong readers are known to be more understanding of others, more empathetic, less prejudiced, to attain higher socioeconomic status and even to live longer, healthier lives than non-readers. Set aside 30 minutes every evening with an interesting, fun book (fiction or nonfiction—because fiction is just a story about life) and take turns reading. As time goes by, you may be very glad you became a “reading family.”

“What’s your pleasure? exploring the predictors of leisure reading for fiction and nonfiction” by Sandra Martin-Chang, Stephanie Kozak, Kyle C. Levesque, Navona Calarco & Raymond A. Mar. Reading and Writing