Benefits of Regular Reading

 

Reading regularly sharpens memory and focus, challenges analytical thinking, and even delays our cognitive decline 

Any bookworm will tell you that reading a book is a pleasant distraction from the stresses of daily living, a chance to relax and lose yourself to the characters and plot of a page-turning mystery thriller or swoon- worthy romance. Few people realize that both your mind and body benefit when this favorite pastime becomes a regular part of your routine.

Full-brain workout

“Experts describe reading a book as a full-brain workout,” says Cymbeline Perez-Santiago, MD, Neurologist and Head of the Neurology Unit of top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).

“In a study conducted in 2020, researchers noted that increased gray matter in the left superior temporal cortex part of the brain, which is crucial to cognitive function, is linked to better reading performance among children. For the older generation, keeping the mind engaged through book reading delays cognitive decline and positively impacts physical and mental health.”

A 2017 survey that tracked over 3,000 adults in a 12-year period discovered that those who specifically read books had a 20 percent reduction in mortality. In a study conducted by Yale, people added an average of 23 months to their lifespan when they read 30 minutes a day.

“Reading, of course, broadens one’s vocabulary and knowledge, which proves helpful in entrance exams, job opportunities, and life in general,” adds Dr. Perez-Santiago. “Moreover, it develops one’s ability to empathize—to put oneself in other people’s shoes. Experts call this ‘theory of mind,’ or skills needed to build, navigate, and maintain social relationships.”

Why books?

What is it about a book that makes our mind work differently? Reading words (as opposed to looking at pictures or watching a video) prompts us to use our imagination to supply the imagery that corresponds with the sentences.

“Books, particularly long-form content, train us to focus and pay attention at a time when the digital world’s fast-paced, short-form content has reduced our attention span,” explains Dr. Perez-Santiago. “Reading books also strengthens memory, challenges your analytical thinking, and makes you a better writer.”

But who has the time to pick up a book these days? In a national readership survey commissioned by the National Book Development Board in 2023, the number of Filipino adults who read non-school books in the past 12 months was 42 percent—a major plunge from the 80 percent who read books in 2017.

“The trick,” Dr. Perez-Santiago points out, “is to make it an enjoyable experience, something to look forward to.”

Start by always having a book on hand. 

Keep a book in your car, your bag, or your desk drawer at work. “When you’re waiting in the bank, at a doctor’s appointment, or for a friend to arrive for a meeting, pass the time away by getting in a few pages,” says Dr. Perez-Santiago.

Set doable goals. 

Does the sight of a thick pocketbook intimidate you? Pick a quick read or go for an anthology of short stories. “They can help you build your attention span and ability to focus as you work

your way to reading longer stories,” Dr. Perez-Santiago recommends. “Also, there are no rules that you should finish a book in a week, or that you should finish one book before starting another. Read several books all at once and go at your own pace. As proven by studies, even a few minutes of reading can do wonders for your health.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

Davao Gears Up for the Holidays with 4th Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in the City!

 

Excitement fills the air as people look forward to spending the holidays with family and friends. Time with loved ones is special, and you can make it more memorable by exchanging gifts!

Themed gift-giving is a fun, beloved holiday tradition. This year, make those gifts more meaningful by exchanging reads! Select a theme or genre for your book gift-exchange like something funny, something romantic, or something thrilling – whatever your group is in the mood for! Find the perfect read to share with your loved ones at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale at The Tent, Azuela Cove, Davao City on November 22 to December 1, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 midnight daily.

Experience the joy of giving with gifts that will bring absolute delight to your family and friends. Alongside beloved classics, the latest releases are coming to town to add to the pile of a collection of over two million books. Discover a selection of fresh releases, and surprise friends and loved ones with the latest must-haves and trending picks from the book sale.

Carol Chuaying, Big Bad Wolf Books Philippine Managing Partner 

To level up your hunt for gifts, Swedish furnishing brand IKEA is joining Big Bad Wolf Books in Davao for the first time! Book hunting can be exhausting, guests may even go hungry. So IKEA is putting on a special cozy display to give guests a spot to rest, read, or enjoy refreshments at the book sale.

Metrobank is also bringing glad tidings to credit cardholders attending the book sale with an exclusive 3-month 0% installment promo for single-receipt purchases worth a minimum of P3,000. More incredible deals and promos are coming to make baskets heavier, purchases lighter, and the holidays merrier. Stay tuned to Big Bad Wolf Book’s social media pages for more details. 

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Big Bad Wolf Books is delivering special gifts to underprivileged communities to make sure no one is left behind this holiday season. Guests can help others experience the magic of books by sharing their well-loved reads or buying new books from the book sale to donate to DSWD. Through this initiative, Big Bad Wolf Books encourages guests to take part in giving children from underprivileged communities access to quality books, leaving a lasting impact and making this season of giving truly special for everyone.

Big Bad Wolf Books promises a joyful holiday gift hunt at the book sale with amazing deals and discounts, exciting activities, and so much more! Davaoeños, keep an eye out for the Big Bad Wolf Davao Book Sale! Follow Big Bad Wolf Books’ social media pages to stay in the loop on the latest updates.

For more information regarding Big Bad Wolf Books current and upcoming Book Sales, you can visit their website or check out their social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram)  

How to help your children love reading

How do we encourage our kids to read? Reading is a great bonding activity between mother and child or among the family. First of all, we should fill our home with reading materials like books, magazines, newspapers, and even cookbooks. Start seasonal traditions. Pick a special book to read together every year during the holidays.

It’s also important to connect your kids to books they want to read. Let the interest of your child guide his or her choices. Picture books are great for everyone, especially for family read-alouds. It’s okay to suggest some of your favorite books to your child or books that you may have read when you were his or her age, but do not be pushy. Help your child become a successful reader by talking, listening, and reading together.

Infants and toddlers—Reading and talking to very young children builds knowledge about words and language they will later use in learning to talk and read. Read often with infants and toddlers and talk about what you are reading. As a general rule, NEVER “baby-talk”. Some parents “baby-talk” to their toddlers because they’d find it “cute”, but it isn’t advisable because kids will definitely have a hard time later in life trying to properly pronounce a word just because he was used to “baby-talk”.

For ages 3-5—Choose books with simple concepts like numbers, shapes, or colors, as well as books that encourage children to participate. Point out details about books, such as titles, authors’ name, and illustrator’s names.

For ages 6-8—Reading does not come naturally. This is a skill that has to be practiced. Research suggests that children need to be exposed to words between 6 to 60 times before they can memorize and read them fluently without stopping to sound out words.

For ages 9-12—Children need ongoing encouragement and should be surrounded by book-rich environment at home. Exposing children to a wide variety of reading materials such as science fiction, mystery, and nonfiction helps build vocabulary and comprehension.

For ages 13-15—Now, more than ever, adolescent readers need parental support to maintain the reading momentum needed in preparation for standardized tests.

You may sign up for a free newsletter for more tips on how to help your child read and learn at www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/family.

Philippine Daily Inquirer's Read-Along: Encouraging kids to Love Reading

My Grandma used to say, "A child who READS is a child who LEADS." As a child, she would often set aside story time with me despite being busy with household chores and working as an employee in a governement agency. At that time, I didn't understand its importance, all I knew was that she would read to me my favorite stories as a way to make me go to sleep at night or take my afternoon naps. She would read to me stories from the bible, fables, fairy tales and sometimes, she'd even make up her own story especially if I seemed bored.

I have to thank my Grandma because she had instilled in my young mind the love for reading. Unfortunately, nowadays with numerous ways to while away one's time, kids are more into TV or play their PSP, chat on the net, use game consoles or text on their mobile phones. They no longer have the time to sit back and skim a book and enjoy reading in the truest sense of word.

It was such a good thing that there were people who never stop encouraging kids to take up a book and read, not only as a requirement in class but also for pleasure. Hats-off to The Philippine Daily Inquirer for creating the Inquirer Read-Along. The project that started some years ago aims to encourage kids as young as Grade 1 to love reading. They would invite celebrity guests as story-tellers for a day, giving them the opportunity to share their talents and at the same time making the story-telling fun for children.

We had the chance to go to the Read-Along session last November 6, 2010, held at the Inquirer office on Chino Roces in Makati. Actor, Comedian and Impersonator Jon Santos was the featured celebrity guest for that day. He first came as President Noynoy Aquino to the delight of the kids. In fact, the younger ones thought he was actually the President in flesh. But the older kids who knew who he was, couldn't stop giggling and was laughing out loud.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje also graced the event and explained to the kid audience on how they could help save mother earth on their own little way.

The Sophia School Storytellers also brought the house down when they read and acted "Sina Dilat, Kindat, Kurap at Pikit." Jon Santos came back later and read some more stories from Adarna Books; "Ang Bisita Ni Haya" and the latest Adarna book "Mahabang, mahabang,mahaba".

The kids truly enjoyed the Read-Along session. What we loved about the Inquirer office was the library. It was probably the only library that was kid-friendly. It has a wide collection of children's books, there was even a children's reading-area where you could see comfortable bean bags in pastel colors.

The Inquirer library also had a project called "Books for Books" where a child could trade in his old books for other used books that he liked. They even have a Junior Inquirer Club, where membership is free and there are a whole lot of activities lined up for its members. They'd even get invited to special events and they're always welcome to attend Read-Along sessions.

Inquirer's Read-Along sessions are held every second and last Saturdays of the month. Pre-registration is a must. First come, first served basis. Please call 897-8808 local 329 and look for Ms. Ellen Caparos or Ms. Girlie Refran for details. You may also read Junior Inquirer, every Saturday. It's never too late to get your kids into reading. I guarantee, your kids will enjoy the sessions. What's more, they even get lots and freebies. It's like hitting two birds with one stone: getting them to love reading while they're learning and having fun.