First, how much are kids reading? Turns out they're reading less than ever. The reasons? Homework and standardized testing are taking up a lot of their free time. And this has some seriously negative effects. Studies have shown that:
- Kids who are readers do better at school and in life
- Children and teens who read for pleasure on a daily or weekly basis score better on reading tests than infrequent readers
- Frequent readers also score better on writing tests
- Advanced readers accrue personal, professional, and social advantages
- Literary readers are more likely than non-readers to engage in positive civic activities, such as volunteering
