Reading for pleasure early in childhood linked to better cognitive performance

I did not read fiction until I was in my mid-20s, and Steinbeck's "East of Eden" is what it took me to realize that reading helps develop empathy (particularly fiction, and particularly for us spectrum kiddos) — John won a Nobel Peace Prize for this publication.

In a similar vein, I feel that LLMs are helping me to develop proper "ego destruction" which few others have been smart enough to deal with (me).

Should be an exciting future.

I sincerely hope people take this research to heart and encourage their kids (and grownups too) to read/study for knowledge's sake/for entertainment/for education and everything in-between. It is the cheapest and most effective way to develop oneself which is becoming more and more important in this Technology-based World and its evolving future.

Money quote;

Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge said, "Reading isn't just a pleasurable experience—it's widely accepted that it inspires thinking and creativity, increases empathy and reduces stress. But 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."

In other news, wanting to learn results in more learning. Related: people eat when hungry.

Wanting just a diploma, certificate, or degree simply isn't appropriate incentive to induce effective learning (or teaching) as a side-effect.

Shoutout to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which gives out free books to households with children in need.

https://imaginationlibrary.com/