Reviving the Joy of Reading

Perhaps it’s time to revisit a classic pastime that many of us enjoyed as kids.

Research increasingly indicates that a cherished childhood hobby—reading for pleasure—is associated with improved mental health, enhanced cognitive skills, and even physical differences in brain structure in later years.

“It’s something we should encourage from a young age, especially given the growing evidence of its advantages, particularly for children. That said, it’s never too late to start,” stated Professor Barbara Sahakian, a neuroscientist at Cambridge University who investigates this hobby, in a recent press release.

In one study, Sahakian and her team analyzed data from over 100,000 young individuals in the US involved in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, which tracks children from around age 9 or 10 into early adulthood.

The participants were categorized into two groups: those who began reading for pleasure between ages 2 and 9, and those who started later, or not at all.

Almost half (48%) of the participants had minimal exposure to reading for enjoyment or did not start until later in their childhood. The others had dedicated between three and ten years to reading for fun.

The researchers reviewed clinical interviews, cognitive assessments, mental health evaluations, and brain scans of these young people.

After controlling for socioeconomic factors, they discovered a significant correlation between early recreational reading and improved cognitive skills in adolescence.

The early readers performed better on tests assessing verbal learning, memory, and language development. They also tended to achieve higher academic success.

However, it wasn’t just about academic prowess.

The young readers exhibited enhanced mental well-being, showing fewer symptoms of stress and depression, as well as improved attention and reduced behavioral issues, such as aggression and rule-breaking.

Interestingly, these book lovers also spent less time in front of screens.

Kids who nurtured a passion for reading tended to watch less TV or scroll on smartphones and tablets during both weekdays and weekends as they grew into their teenage years. They also generally had better sleep patterns.

The impact of the hobby might extend into their biology as well.

Brain imaging indicated that adolescents who engaged in early pleasure reading had larger overall brain areas and volumes, particularly in regions crucial for cognitive function.

Some areas of the brain that showed differences in the early readers have been previously connected to mental health, behavior, and attention.

“We encourage parents to foster the joy of reading in their children from a young age,” remarked Professor Jianfeng Feng from Fudan University in Shanghai and the University of Warwick in the UK, in a statement.

“If done correctly, this can provide enjoyment, support development, and encourage lasting reading habits that may continue to benefit them in adulthood.”

However, there seems to be a limit to the benefits of this activity.

Research suggests that the ideal amount of recreational reading for a young child is around 12 hours per week.

Going beyond that seems to yield diminishing returns—cognitive scores may even decline.

While it’s not entirely clear why this is, one hypothesis is that children spending over 12 hours a week reading might forgo other essential activities that are also beneficial for brain development, such as sports or social interactions.

This finding arises at a time when the trend of reading for enjoyment appears to be waning among American youth.

Survey results released in July by the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that the percentage of 9-year-olds engaging in pleasure reading has dropped by 16 points over the last 13 years.

In 2025, only 37% of 9-year-olds indicated they read for enjoyment nearly every day, a decline from 42% in 2020, and a significant drop from 53% in 1984.

On the other end, the proportion of 9-year-olds claiming they never or rarely read for fun reached 17% last year, compared to just 9% in 1984.

“Considering how beneficial recreational reading is at a young age, we should take every effort to introduce children to the joy of reading,” said Dr. Christelle Langley, a cognitive neuroscientist at Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry.

But the perks of immersing oneself in a captivating book don’t just apply to kids; adults can reap the rewards as well.

Studies indicate that reading can reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and boost empathy.

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading in later life is also associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.