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Spot on Science: Your Brain on Books

Turns out reading isn't just about getting a good story! Margaret explains the benefits of reading, including increased vocabulary and empathy. 

Class Discussion Questions:

1) Why is "shadow activity" a good name for your brain's activity after reading.

2) Why should you read a book rather than watching a movie? What are the positive benefits?

Read the Script:

Ever finish reading a book and feel bummed out because it's over? Well, it turns out that reading can grip more than your immediate attention. It can impact your brain, too. Let me explain. 

Researchers at Emory University discovered that reading a book can actually stick with you after you've shut the back cover. The researchers chose to have the study participants read the book  Pompeii by Robert Harris. It's a novel about the famous explosion of Mount Vesuvius in ancient Italy that buried the city of Pompeii with ash. Needless to say, the novel is pretty riveting. 

At the beginning of the study, scientists measured the resting state of the participants' brains. Then, for nine days they gave the participants some reading homework. After finishing the book, the scientists took more measurements for five days. Well, it turns out that even after the participants had finished their reading assignments they still showed activity in the left temporal cortex of their brains. This is the area that lights up when dealing with language. So, it was almost like the brain was still chugging away with reading even though the book was closed. Lead scientist Gregory Burns calls this shadow activity. 

The scientists also found more activity in the central sulcus of the brain, which is what lights up when you think about moving. So, it's as if when you're reading about someone running, your brain actually responds like it's running, too. So a good book really can take you on adventures. 

Okay, so maybe you're thinking why read a book when you can just watch a movie with the same story? Good question, but I've got a good answer for you. It turns out that reading is great exercise for your brain. Other studies have shown that reading can strengthen your memory and it's not just for adults. Researcher Anne Cunningham and Keith Stanovich studied 4th, 5th, and 6th graders reading and found out that the more the children read, the bigger their vocabulary became, and the bigger their vocabulary became, the more they read, and the more they read, the bigger their vocabulary became, and well you get the point. 

Now if that's not enough, entering into the world of a book is actually shown to be super stress relieving by the University of Sussex. Even more stress relieving than listening to music or drinking a cup of tea. And reading can make you a more empathetic person.  Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. So, next time you crack open a new book, besides getting a great story, you're also improving yourselves. Pretty neat!

Learn a little more...with a link!

Website Article: National Geographic Kids, Your Amazing Brain | How does your brain work?

Website Article: Huffington Post, 6 Science-Backed Reasons To Go Read A Book Right Now | More reasons to keep on reading.

Website Article: Wonderopolis, Do You Ever Tease Your Brain? | Challenge your brain with reading and more brain teasers.