Books can have profound impact on children’s academic and intellectual ability. One needs to have at least 80 books in the house to make this impact! Researchers took data from 160 000 adults in 31 countries to conclude this. Interestingly a child without university degree but with many books in house was as capable as a university graduate (with no books in house).
Children with no books in house were found to have below average academic skills on literacy and numeracy. Minimum number of books required to have some impact is 80. The skill levels keep increasing till the number of books reach 350. Thereafter there was no significant academic gains.
Research participants had to disclose about number of books in their home and thereafter attend a test on literacy, numeracy and information communication technology (ICT).
Average number of books (in participant’s home) country wise:
· Norway & Sweden- 200 plus
· Germany, UK & Australia- around 150
· UK- 143
· Canada, Japan & USA- 115 plus
· Greece and Chile- Around 55
Reference: Sikora, J., Evans, M.D.R., Kelley, J., Scholarly culture: How books in adolescence enhance adult literacy, numeracy and technology skills in 31 societies, Social Science Research (2018)
