INTRODUCTION: READING FOR LIFE
The benefits of reading books include a longer life in which to read them. - Avni Bavishi, Martin Slade, and Becca Levy (2016, p. 44)
There is no denying the profound impact of childhood literacy, not only on individuals, but on families, communities, and societies. Research shows the power of reading is unequivocal: it increases educational engagement, enhances equity in communities that need it, inspires critical thinking and nuanced ideas, positively impacts future economic success, and imbues young people with empathy and intelligence—qualities that are more and more important each day. A growing body of research suggests that the impact of childhood literacy does not stop with academic, social, and economic successes. Indeed, studies show that access to books in childhood can actually impact the long-term physical and mental health of young people—resulting in higher adult brain function (Berns et al., 2013; Weinstein et al., 2021) and better physical health (DeWalt, 2005; Weinstein et al., 2021). What’s more, it’s possible that a love of reading in childhood might result in a longer life expectancy (Bavishi et al., 2016). If literacy is “an important mediator in the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and health disparities” (Sanders et al., 2009, p.131), it is essential that educators and community leaders have access to the vast collection of research on the subject, providing them with every tool possible to ensure students’ minds and bodies thrive. Reading for Life seeks to provide a gateway to that research. Reviewing data on reading and literacy and their impact on the physical, mental, and social-emotional components of health, this paper will: • Review the current state of children’s literacy and health, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; • Explore the importance of early-childhood education and literacy interventions in preschool, and their roles in health outcomes; • Summarize existing literature on the relationship between literacy rates and physical, mental, and social-emotional health; and • Study successful collaborations between the education and medical fields to implement literacy interventions in pediatric healthcare settings.
READING FOR LIFE: THE IMPACT OF YOUTH LITERACY ON HEALTH OUTCOMES 1
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs