THE ROLE OF READING IN ACADEMIC AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Reading plays a crucial role in both academic achievement and cognitive 
development. It enhances attention, working memory, and metacognitive skills, 
enabling learners to monitor understanding, evaluate information, and reflect on 
meaning. Engagement with diverse texts—ranging from argumentative and scientific 
materials to fiction—fosters critical and creative thinking, strengthens problem-solving 
abilities, and promotes empathy and perspective-taking. Furthermore, reading enriches 
vocabulary, supports syntactic awareness, and improves verbal reasoning, contributing 
to more effective communication. This article examines how reading cultivates these 
cognitive and academic skills, highlighting its significance in preparing individuals for 
complex learning tasks and lifelong intellectual growth.