How to Be a Stronger ReaderMost people who read for leisure are doing so for the enjoyment, and the brain-boosting effects of reading are latent benefits of doing something they love. So, what are the benefits of leisure reading? • lowered blood pressure and heart rate • decreased symptoms of depression • reduced stress • increased brain connectivity • slowed onset of cognitive decline • increased vocabulary and comprehension • increased empathy • improved readiness for sleep And while it may not always be as fun to read a math textbook or company manual, even reading for work or school can provide some benefits. Of course, reading is an essential tool professionally and academically, as it provides the foundation to gain knowledge, communicate, and grow mentally, emotionally, and cognitively. If you’re looking to become a more robust, faster reader (or to help a child or teen do so), there are some things you can do to boost your reading skills: 1. Keep a reading journal. As you read, jot down some notes to help solidify your memory about the topic. Think about it from the same approach, whether you’re taking notes on a history book for an upcoming quiz or reading a mystery novel before bed. Sleep provides the brain with time to prune out memories that it no longer deems useful and solidify the memories that will be beneficial in the future. Likewise, writing things down can help increase the strength of the memory. 2. Choose the right books. Sometimes we read for enjoyment, sometimes for knowledge. As adults, we tend to choose by genre, author, reviews, or recommendations from people we know. It’s also important to ensure children and teens are reading books at the proper level. If it’s too easy, they may get bored. Too difficult, and they may get frustrated or have trouble comprehending what they read. When choosing a book for leisure, ask a librarian or bookstore clerk for help finding a good fit. They may ask about other books your child has read, what grade they’re in, or favorite topics. 3. Turn reading into a social activity. Book clubs can provide many benefits for readers, including socialization, new insights through critical discussions, and exposure to books you might not have known about otherwise. There are online and in-person book clubs for all ages and interests, and most libraries provide storytime for younger readers who may not be able to read on their own yet. 4. Read deeply and critically. There’s certainly nothing wrong with a quick “beach read,” and the cognitive benefits are as significant, regardless of the book’s content. But there is something to be said about choosing a book requiring more profound and critical thinking. A memoir, for example, may give you better insight into the hardships of others, providing a deeper sense of empathy. 5. Enroll in personal brain training. Studies show that approximately 85% of all reading struggles are due to weak auditory processing. This cognitive skill is what the brain uses to hear, segment, and blend sounds, which explains why reading interventions that target and train auditory processing (and other cognitive skills, such as long-term memory and broad attention) get such tremendous results. At LearningRx, we don’t diagnose dyslexia, and we use a Brain Skills Assessment to find the root cause of learning, reading, and spelling struggles. The test takes about an hour. The results show which cognitive skills (e.g., auditory processing, attention, memory, logic & reasoning, visual processing, and processing speed) are strong and could use a boost. Using the results of the Brain Skills Assessment, we create a personal brain training program that targets and trains cognitive skills. The client then works one-on-one with their brain trainer, who uses fun but intense mental exercises to strengthen their most needed brain skills. When cognitive skills are strong, learning and reading are faster and easier—in any subject. Our programs have helped more than 100,000 children, teens, and adults—including seniors who wanted to learn to become better readers—see life-changing gains. Although we integrate some tutoring elements into our programs, it’s essential to understand how tutoring and brain training differ. Tutoring helps deliver information—such as math formulas or significant historical facts. However, personal brain training addresses the root cause of learning struggles by targeting and training weak cognitive skills. These are the foundational tools we need to read, think, remember, pay attention, and more. If you’re looking to strengthen your reading skills—or those of someone you love, consider putting these tips into action. When reading skills are strong, it’s easier to find enjoyment in the activity, whether for school, work, or leisure. As with any skill, practice will create more improvements, but only if the foundational cognitive skills are strong.