The benefits of reading books
Research has shown that an effective use of online resources and web–based information is dependent on an existing level of literacy1 — meaning that without an ability to read, online resources will have little positive effect on students or teachers. This is why KEY delivers books first, and then, only when the students and teachers are ready, installs online resources. This helps guard against a bombardment of information, and ensures users are fully capable of extracting and understanding how to best use the online tools provided.
Foster Critical Thinking
Genres of fiction such as fairy tales and fantasy have been shown to help teach children the difference between right and wrong5, by tapping into their ability to use critical thinking.
Grow Empathy & Social Skills
Reading fiction has been shown to activate and fortify neural pathways in the brain that help in the understanding of real human emotions, effectively allowing readers of fiction to strengthen their social skills.2 This is seen especially with empathy, where multiple studies have shown that reading fiction enhances one’s ability to empathize with others and interpret social cues2, both being social skills critical in daily interactions and business.
Outperform & Reduce the Effects of Poverty
Reading for pleasure has been shown to produce students who academically outperform their peers across all subjects, including math, compared to those that don’t.5 In fact, reading alone has been shown to be a greater influence on the academic achievements of students than the education of their parents6, and access to reading books has also been shown to completely eliminate the negative effects that poverty can have on education.7
Support Strong Community Ties
A Pew study that was released in early 2014 suggested that library users tend to be pillars of their community with good ties to their neighbours and live positive lives.3 Access to books, and the subsequent improvement in literacy, is a requisite to a thriving democracy. And as studies show, reading for pleasure produces academically superior, emotionally-intelligent students.4 This is the perfect recipe for a thriving community, and an extraordinary country.
A study from Harvard found that a well–rounded education significantly reduces radicalization and terrorist recruitment.8 As students learn to think critically, and are exposed to subjects and experiences outside their everyday life, they are less likely to blindly accept what they are told – and it becomes harder for extremist groups to influence or brainwash with their corrupt pronouncements. Aside from expanding a child’s worldview, education also helps provide a sense of normalcy and routine in an otherwise crisis situation for many of these at-risk populations.
1 Moore, Penny. An Analysis of Information Literacy Education Worldwide. White Paper Prepared for UNESCO, the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and the National Forum on Information Literacy, for use at the Information Literacy Meeting of Experts, Prague, The Czech Republic. 2 Berns, Gregory S., Kristina Blaine, Michael J. Prietula, and Brandon E. Pye. Brain Connectivity: Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain. Rep. Department of Economics, Emory University. N.p., 9 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 Aug. 2016. 3(6): 590-600. doi:10.1089/brain.2013.0166. 3 Zickuhr, Kathryn, Kristen Purcell, and Lee Rainie. “From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers–and beyond.” Pew Research Centre. N.p., 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 2 Aug. 2016.4 Borgonovi, Francesca. OECD: “Do Students Today Read for Pleasure?” PISA IN FOCUS (2011): http://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisaproducts/pisainfocus/48624701.pdf 5 Docherty, Saoirse. 5 reasons why fairy tales are good for children. 5 June 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2016. <http://scottishbooktrust.com/blog/2014/06/5-reasons-why-fairy-tales-are-good-for-children>. 6 Owusu-Acheaw, Michael. “Reading Habits Among Students and Its Effect on Academic Performance: A Study of Students of Koforidua Polytechnic.” Paper 1130. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), University of Nebraska – Lincoln. 5 June 2014. Web. 2 Aug. 2016. 7 Evans, M. D. R., et al. Family scholarly culture and educational success: Books and schooling in 27 nations. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility (2010), doi:10.1016/j.rssm.2010.01.002 8 Martin-Rayo, Francisco. Countering Radicalization in Refugee Camps: How Education Can Help Defeat AQAP. Rep. Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, The Dubai Initiative – Working Paper. N.p., June 2011. Web. 2 Aug. 2016.