The early years are a vital time for brain growth, essential for enhancing cognitive abilities and mental health. Optimal brain health at this stage is directly associated with enhanced mental well-being, cognitive abilities, and academic success in teenage years and adulthood. It can additionally offer strength during stressful periods.
Unfortunately, poverty can hinder brain development. Research indicates that poverty in early childhood is a risk factor for reduced educational achievement. It is linked to variations in brain structure, diminished cognitive abilities, behavioral issues, and mental health symptoms.
This demonstrates the significance of providing every child with an equal opportunity in life. However, until adequate steps are implemented to diminish inequality and enhance results, our recent research, released in Psychological Medicine, reveals one inexpensive activity that could help mitigate some adverse effects of poverty on the brain: enjoying reading.
Affluence and cognitive well-being
Greater family income during childhood is often linked to improved scores on evaluations of language, working memory, and the interpretation of social and emotional signals. Studies indicate that the cortex, the brain’s outer layer, exhibits a greater surface area and increased thickness in individuals with higher socioeconomic status compared to those with lower income levels
