Childhood Bookworms Have Bigger And Better Brains, Says Cambridge Study

Young readers also had better mental health, fewer signs of stress and depression, better attention, and fewer behavioral problems like aggression and rule-breaking, according to assessments using clinical scores and reports from parents and teachers.Children read books at an international book fair in Bogota, capital of Colombia, April 27, 2023. The book fair, running from April 18 to May 2, is expected to receive more than 600,000 visitors.PHOTO BY ZHOU SHENGPING/GETTY IMAGES 

Childhood bookworms who love to read become happier and smarter teenagers, according to a new study.The University of Cambridge researchers found reading for 12 hours a week was optimal for youngsters to develop bigger and better brains.

Performing well in memory and speech, verbal learning, and general academic tests was strongly linked with reading for pleasure between two and nine years old.