Just to argue reading vs doing: I know lots of heavy readers who can't absolutely do something new. They only read and read.

On the other hand, doing is a totally different skillset.

I'm not against reading just that it's very unlike doing something in general.

No need to be black and white.

Reading can be active, if I'm taking notes on nonfiction its a somewhat active process.

Reading can be passive, if I'm cruising on a fiction book.

It is doing, but it's doing one thing: reading. Encouraging kids to read makes sense for building literacy and encouraging imagination, but there's a point where enough is enough, reading the 6th installment of Harry Potter is for entertainment, and they're better off riding a bike, building something, and making friends.

It's the same for adults. We blindly praise reading, but much of it belongs on the shelf at an airport bookstore, it's not particularly challenging or informing, and it might as well be video games or TV.