Early Reading Skills Linked to Future Intellectual Abilities

Early reading skills can predict future intellectual abilities, a new study suggests.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and King's College London and was based on data from 1,890 identical twins.

"Since reading is an ability that can be improved, our findings have implications for reading instruction," according to Stuart J. Ritchie, research fellow in psychology at the University of Edinburgh, lead author of the study. "Early remediation of reading problems might aid not only the growth of literacy, but also more general cognitive abilities that are of critical importance across the lifespan."

For the study, researchers looked at data from Twins Early Development Study. Researchers assessed scores from tests of reading and intelligence taken when the participants were 7, 9, 10, 12, and 16 years old. Researchers used statistical models to find a link between reading abilities and intelligence.

The team found that differences in early reading abilities of the twins explained the differences in intelligence later in life. Children good at reading had high scores not only in vocabulary tests, but also in non-verbal tests.

"If, as our results imply, reading causally influences intelligence, the implications for educators are clear," suggests Ritchie, according to a news release. "Children who don't receive enough assistance in learning to read may also be missing out on the important, intelligence-boosting properties of literacy."

The study shows that parents need to encourage reading habits in children. The research also explains why people from the same family score differently on IQ tests despite sharing the same genes and environment.

High scores on intelligence tests are also known to be associated with occupational success and even health, Medical News Today reported. So, investing in reading time at an early age may yield benefits later in life.

The study was published in the journal Child Development and was funded by  UK Medical Research Council and others.