Amandeep Kochar, Baker & Taylor’s Executive Vice President of Public Library Sales and Technology, recently contributed to MDR’s Education blog to discuss how we can counter the Matthew Effect and other influences when it comes to literacy’s life-changing ability.

Here are his findings, originally published on MDReducation.com:

At the beginning of every new year, with a renewed sense of purpose we feel resolute and have countless discussions about improving our physical fitness, adopting healthier habits, and embracing regular exercise plans. It’s important, however, to not forget cerebral health and the importance of ensuring healthy cognitive habits and getting proper food for thought, so to speak.

But changing habits can be hard, whether it’s eating more vegetables or making more time for reading.

When it comes to reading, there’s significant evidence showing it is more difficult for some children to change habits after the third grade and improve their skills, leading to a vicious circle of frustration and ultimately resulting in school dropouts. Research also illustrates how these children who struggle with reading become further and further behind their peers, permanently limiting their future opportunity.

Read the full article on MDR’s website here.