Reading changes our brain

Reading is not a natural skill for the human brain. People are born able to see and speak, but they must learn to read.

To read, the brain uses parts for seeing, hearing, language, and attention. Reading has developed over thousands of years from early writing like Sumerian symbols and Egyptian pictures to modern letters and words.

Reading changes the brain. Letters and words connect to sounds and meanings. All parts of the brain take part in reading. Different languages affect the brain in different ways. For example, Chinese characters use more visual memory than English letters. Learning to read a second language changes the brain differently depending on the writing system.

Reading also affects feelings. People can feel the emotions of characters. Reading on phones or tablets often makes people read quickly, which can cause misunderstanding. Children who use screens too much may have trouble focusing and learning. Parents and teachers should help children read deeply, because reading changes the mind and helps people think clearly.