Many rapid intellectual, physical, and emotional changes take place in a child’s body at a very young age. Encouraging children to read is one way parents can help youngsters develop intellectual and emotional maturity.

An Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study of more than 10,000 participants across different ethnicities and varying socioeconomic statuses, found that reading for pleasure in early childhood was linked with better scores on comprehension cognition assessments and better educational attainment in young adolescence. It also correlated to fewer mental health problems and less time spent on electronic devices.

Reading is a learned activity, and reading early on is a bonding activity between caregiver and child. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children says reading has the potential to increase academic achievement by improving vocabulary and learning comprehension. Interactive reading also helps increase mental imagery and language processing.

It’s important to note that reading can also positively affect the body physically. Children may experience less stress by reading, as it is thought to be even more calming than listening to music or even taking a walk.

In a study published in the journal Psychological Medicine, UK and Chinese researchers found that 12 hours of reading a week was the optimal time linked to improved brain structure and good brain health. When researchers examined brain scans from those who had been reading from an early age, the scans showed moderately larger total brain areas and volumes, including in regions of the brain responsible for roles in critical cognitive functions.
“It’s widely accepted that [reading] inspires creativity, increases empathy, and reduces stress,” says University of Cambridge professor Barbara Sahakian. Parents can introduce reading to their children at an early age, and support their children’s efforts at independent reading.