The Importance of Reading to Your Children

Has your child ever brought you a book to read and as soon as you say, “The End,” they ask you to read it again and again and again? I know that has happened to me quite a few times. But reading is such an important skill for all children to learn, so I will happily read the same book over and over if it will benefit my children’s future success.

Here are the top reasons reading (even the same book) to your children is beneficial to their future.

1.       Supports Cognitive Development. Cognitive (brain) development is the ability to think and understand—developing the thought processes, remembering, problem solving, and decision making. When you begin to read to your child, you are exposing them to the world. This helps them make sense of what they see, hear, feel, and read.

Many believe that it is actually the conversations about the reading that help children the most. They are able to make connections between what is read and their own lives.

2.       Improves Language Skills. Children will latch onto vocabulary and words they hear spoken, but by reading to children daily you are introducing the language of books. Book language differs from daily language because it is more descriptive, and tends to use more formal grammatical structures.

Reading tends to activate areas of the brain connected to visual imagery and understanding of language.

3.       Prepares Children for Academic Success. Studies have shown that the more words in a child’s language world, the stronger their language skills are when they reach kindergarten and are prepared to learn to read. The better they read, the more likely they will graduate from high school.

There are 5 reading skills that are essential for development:

·         Phonemic Awareness-Being able to hear and identify sounds of spoken words

·         Phonics-Being able to connect letters of written language with sounds of spoken language (Knowing that the letter “B” makes the sound “buh”)

·         Vocabulary-Words needed to communicate effectively

·         Reading Comprehension-Being able to understand what is read

·         Fluency-Being able to read text accurately and quickly

You can help jump start their reading success by reading to them during their early years. These skills will continue to grow as they continue to read and interact with you.

4.       Create a Special Bond with Your Children. One of the most important things you can do to positively influence your children is to spend time with them. Reading together provides just that. Reading to your children gives your children a sense of intimacy that helps them feel close to you. The feelings of love and attention encourage positive growth and development.

It also gives you and your children something to talk about (supports vocabulary and reading comprehension development). And hopefully down the road it opens the door to talk about real life experiences and issues.

5.       Increase Concentration. We all know, it’s hard for children to sit still for a long time and focus. But when you introduce regular reading to your children, you may start to see an increase in the amount of time they can pay attention to a story.

6.       Improve Their Imagination and Creativity. Reading to your children helps them discover new people, places, times, and events beyond what they normally experience. This can expand their imaginative play and ideas.

7.       Cultivate a Love of Reading. According to Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, “Every time we read to a child, we’re sending a ‘pleasure’ message to the child’s brain…” Your children will begin to associate books with pleasure.

Reading to your children allows you to create a special bond with them, but there are many other benefits as well. Reading aloud with your children is an essential activity to help them become a successful reader. It’s never too late to create this time together!

What are your favorite books to read with your children? Email me to share.