Why Slow Reading Matters More Than Ever

The benefits of slow reading become clear when you realize that reading and understanding what you read are two different skills. According to this exposing article, ACT examination results (used in the USA for college entry) are revealing that many high school students are not equipped for university-level coursework when it comes to reading comprehension skills of “complex texts.”

The answer to this problem may be in what is referred to as ‘slow reading.’ That is, taking the time to read without the Internet’s presence, without distractions and…slowly of course! It may be time for teachers and parents to begin encouraging slow reading as a learning method. Some say it should be in school curriculums.

As many have commented online, the ‘quick and easy’ Internet of our world today makes it feel too cumbersome to learn a topic in detail. When you Google a question, you often don’t even have to click to read an article anymore – Google’s search results pages are showing question answers immediately. And, much of the internet is written for quick consumption too, as noted in the article linked-to above.

Is this a way to learn comprehension strategies? Will our future generations know the importance of taking time to understand a topic fully? Will they be able to ‘connect the dots’ in a story plot line, even if it’s on paper and not a TV show? Can they pick up on sub texts? Can they get the metaphors they are reading? Do they know what cultural phrases and sayings mean today, and in history? Did they ask themselves a question at all, while reading?

Slow reading advocates would say the art of comprehension is dwindling. So, in this article, we’ll give 3 benefits for teachers and parents to encourage slow reading as a learning method:

1: Slow Reading Is Challenging, and That’s Good; It Helps You Analyze

According to the video on this Wall Street Journal article, slow reading can increase your ability to analyze. Just like slow food, the digestion of material is better for you. You get to know the topic you’re reading, and you get to form opinions about it too. Dare we say: that might lead to new ideas in this world?

It’s hard these days to sit down, read, and do nothing else but delve into your book. The accomplishment in itself can be a practice in de-connecting and winding down.

See related articles:

• How much is too much screen time?
• Focus on kid’s health: kids staring at a screen while studying in the dark can be harmful
• 7 brain games for kids

2: Slow Reading Can Teach You New Things, Creating More ‘Ah Ha’ Moments

Think about it: when you read in-depth, you become more aware of more topics in a detailed way. We’re not talking about trivia knowledge. In reading, you may learn something new in one ‘ah ha’ moment, even though that moment was just a blip in time compared to the rest of your reading session. Teens who read in-depth topics will be able to connect those ah ha moments, by memory, to lessons they’re learning in the classroom at school.

Need an example of how this plays out in education? In one of our past articles on this blog, we wrote about, “6 Science lessons using chickens as the common theme.” You’d be surprised how many topics in science that the thought of a mere chicken can bring up. But knowing more about individual topics can help a person put them together, and see their relatedness,. This results in a more comprehensive view of our world.

Making connections between subjects relates to interdisciplinary learning. And, this is what STEM and STEAM education are all about these days. They connect the dots between the applications of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Knowing these topics in depth – that is, reading and learning about them carefully – can bring about great inventions, as we’re seeing in the Maker education movement.

See related: How taking a break from studying can create those “ah ha” moments

3: Slow Reading Helps You Understand Other People

In a fast-scrolling world, slow reading offers something rare: real understanding. It’s about pausing long enough to grasp not just the words, but the weight behind them. A report from the American Council on Education (ACE) found that many students aren’t ready for college-level reading—not because they can’t read quickly, but because they struggle with complex ideas in writing.

Take Thoreau’s line, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.” You can’t breeze past that and still get it. You have to stop, reread, maybe even mutter “Wait—what does he mean?” That kind of engagement builds more than just comprehension. It sharpens your ability to hear others out, to understand where they’re coming from.

Slow reading teaches us to listen better, not just to books—but to people. The more ways we learn to understand, the more ways we learn to connect.

Slow Reading Doesn’t Have to Wait, but It Does Have to Be Scheduled

Given the movement of slow reading is all about unplugging from our electronic world, it’s no wonder the activity is being encouraged as something you schedule. It’s something you make time for, not that you necessarily do on your own automatically.

As teachers and parents, we can incorporate slow reading into classroom or family time. For teachers, we also found this resource to help students learn about reading comprehension, so they know the benefits of slow reading.

Whether reading on a tablet, Kindle or on hardcopy paper, comprehension is important. The more you do it, the better you’ll likely become at it. While purists of the slow reading movement may disagree with our comment on using an electronic device, we would simply say: do what you know won’t tempt you! That is, if you’re bound to go online while reading on a tablet, then don’t use one for this activity.

Ready to help your child develop stronger reading skills?

The benefits of slow reading are evident, and help many people every day. However, some kids may need more help with their reading.

School is Easy offers personalized tutoring programs that focus on reading comprehension and study techniques. Our certified tutors work one-on-one with students to build the deep understanding skills that slow reading develops.

Give your child the academic support they need to succeed. Contact School is Easy today to learn more about our reading comprehension programs and schedule a free consultation.