Books, magazines, posters, letters, newspapers, and manuscripts have been the media for spreading knowledge for humankind throughout history. The importance of reading has been reiterated multiple times and the well-known knowledge-building aspect of reading is self-explanatory. We often forget to mention other key benefits of reading.
Reading is a Meta skill. It allows you to not only gain knowledge but to be better at speaking as well as writing. An avid reader is also a crisp writer and an effective orator. For young individuals, reading is a necessary skill to inculcate. It is food for the mind. It activates our creative juices and feeds our thoughts. It allows us to explore the depths of our imagination, understanding, and comprehension. It also allows you to strengthen focus and concentration.
When it comes to reading, the genre is not important. The very acting of reading holds the benefits. Fiction tests your imagination, non-fiction provides you with real-life stories and newspapers give you a taste of reality. But, just reading is not enough. This is why we call reading a “skill” instead of a “habit”. Comprehending the material and storing it for future use is crucial to reap the benefits of reading. Effective reading is where comprehension and retention play an important role.
Some people lack the skill of reading. For most, it is difficult to concentrate on words for a long period. One quick way to start is to resolve to read ANYTHING for just 10 minutes a day. It might seem difficult to start reading. But once we get a hang of it, the infinite world of reading is for us to explore!