6 Benefits of Reading for National Read a Book DaySeptember 6 is National Read a Book Day and it feels like the perfect time to share 6 benefits of reading! 1. Reading books may help you live longer. A study at Yale University School of Public Health found that American adults 50 and over increased their survival by up to 23% just by reading books! The study took into account factors like education, age, wealth, self-reported health, and marital status, among others. 2. Reading can slow the aging process of your brain. Like other muscles in your body, your brain needs exercise to keep it strong. Studies have shown that mental stimulation, such as reading, may help keep your brain healthy for longer. 3. Reading can expand your vocabulary. The more you read, the more words you’ll be exposed to. 4. Reading can improve your writing skills. One of the biggest commonalities among professional writers is that they read a lot. 5. Reading is free. With libraries and access to free online digital books, you don’t need to spend a dime to access books from around the world. 6. Reading to your child is one of the biggest predictors of later success. In addition to helping you bond, reading to your child can help improve their early language skills, boost their cognitive development and help with academic performance. Do you love to read but worry because your child doesn’t? Studies show that weak cognitive skills are at the root of approximately 85% of all reading struggles. This is why interventions—like one-on-one brain training—that strengthen auditory processing and other cognitive skills get such tremendous results. To find out if your child or teen has a reading struggle due to weak cognitive skills, schedule a Brain Skills Assessment with your nearest LearningRx Center. Ready to get book recommendations based on age? Check out https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/books-and-reading-guides/recommended-childrens-books-by-age.html to view book list collections from Scholastic!