Correlation or Causation: You Decide

September 1, 2015

Does reading to your kids make them smarter?

Studies show a correlation. And it seems like common sense. I am certain that reading to a kid helps the kid’s mental development.

But I also know that certainty can be nothing but a failure of imagination. I try to avoid trusting my first reaction.

So I try to think of any reason why the parents that are smart enough to follow the advice of experts and read to their kids would also have smart kids. 

I got nothing. 

It must be the reading that makes those kids smart, because science.

Just to be clear: Reading is good. Science is good. Science plus journalism in a click-driven business model, use caution.