For many, reading is a part of everyday life. Whether your job requires you to read documents throughout the day or you can’t pass up a chance to curl up with a new novel or fun word-based game, reading is something we all do to varying degrees. However, one thing you may not think much about is just how important reading is for your vocabulary development.
When you read a wide variety of books from different genres, you start to develop a wider vocabulary that can help you better communicate. Just as a site like Casinos.com gives access to a wide range of the best online casinos, reading gives access to new worlds to explore and great educational opportunities.
Still not convinced about just how important reading is for your vocabulary development? Let’s take a look at the many ways reading helps not just with your vocabulary, but also with additional development.
By Choosing Challenging Books, You Can Learn New Words
One of the best things you can do is to choose a book that will present a challenge. Whether it’s a subject area you’re unfamiliar with or a favourite genre with writing that is more advanced than you’re used to, picking a book that challenges your vocabulary may mean you need to look words up as you go. If so, just think about how many new words you’ll learn!
When you see a new-to-you word in a sentence, it’s typically easier to comprehend and understand. It’s much better than just a basic dictionary definition. Reading it in a sentence means you’ll probably be more likely to work it into your vocabulary in the future.
Vocabulary Is a Building Block to Reading
We can break things down to a micro level and examine how vocabulary is a building block to reading. The larger your vocabulary is, the easier reading is. You’ll get faster and better at reading, which can help you do your job more efficiently, communicate with others more effectively, and feel more confident in your reading skills.
From a very early age, kids learn to string words together. By reading, you take those foundations you learned and add to them. Think of reading as a brain workout: the more you do it and the more you “train,” the stronger and better you’ll get.
It Is an Excellent Way to Learn a New Language
So far, we’ve only discussed how reading expands your vocabulary in terms of your native language, but what if you want to learn a second language? You need to start with the foundations and the first building blocks, which are reading. Reading in a second language can boost your knowledge and help you catch on that much faster. Just as vocabulary is vital to reading comprehension in your primary language, the same can be said about a secondary language.
Reading also allows you to go at your own pace. If you need to re-read passages, you can do that. Take your time, sound the words out in your head, and make sure you’re getting a full understanding. If your goal is to reach a conversational level with the second language, reading can help you progress your vocabulary much faster.
Need a Boost of Confidence with Social Interactions? Expand Your Vocabulary
Social interaction can be a source of stress and anxiety for some people. It can become so pronounced that they avoid getting together in group settings or avoid places with crowds. The problem with this approach is that you can miss out on a lot of life, including great connections and friendships.
Because your vocabulary improves over time with reading, this can act as a confidence booster. You feel confident in forming sentences, carrying on conversations, and even talking about topics and subjects you have learned more about through reading.
Reading Can Happen at Any Age
One of the best parts about reading is that there is no age limit. Young kids are encouraged to read just as much as seniors. Everyone at any age benefits from reading. If it’s a hobby that hasn’t appealed to you in the past, it may be that you just haven’t found the right books. Ask yourself what you’re passionate about: what topics, hobbies, themes, and genres tickle your fancy? Then find books that fit into those categories.
On the flip side, if you’re a parent, reading to your child from infancy is a fabulous way to make reading part of their daily ritual. As they get older, flip the script and have them read to you until they are ready to read entirely on their own.
Reading Plays an Even Bigger Role as You Age
To expand on the fact that anyone at any age can read, it’s becoming clear that reading becomes more important as you age. Seniors who read regularly can see improvement in their attention span, cognition, and memory. Reading can also help seniors sleep better, improve their decision-making skills, and help to reduce stress and anxiety. So yes, expanding one’s vocabulary is great, but there are additional benefits that far exceed just vocabulary.
The Many Benefits of Reading Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Reading can feel so immersive that you’ll be transported to another time and place. Books can tug at your emotions, enlighten you, provide you with knowledge and skills, and even help to boost your confidence. Reading also helps you to expand your vocabulary in a big way that feeds your brain and keeps it in shape and alert. If you’ve been on the fence about reading, now is the time to give it a try; you may just discover reading is a fabulous hobby.