Child development and child education experts are on the same page when it comes to reading to and with your children. It is essential, they say, and every little bit helps. In fact, children should be read to for at least 20 minutes daily according to some leaders in the field. I remember speaking to Big Boy’s First Grade teacher many years ago now and recall her frustration of discovering each year that there were 5 year olds in the class who didn’t know how to hold a book the right way round or how to turn pages. As a high school English teacher, it was certainly possible to see which of my students were ‘readers’ and which ones weren’t and it was the readers who were usually more engaged in whatever activity we were doing. Simple. Facts.
“But we’re time poor!” many families say. I know, I get it …truly do … our household really is no different. There are never enough hours to do all the blah, blah, blah stuff that needs doing BUT please make reading with your kids a priority and here are just ten reasons why every parent should.
- reading to preschool children aids with alphabet and word recognition. This paves the way nicely for the learning that occurs in early formal education.
- the time spent reading to or with your children is wonderful bonding time – nothing else matters but snuggles and a story
- reading books will boost a child’s imagination and ability to wonder – television does not do the same thing
- speech and listening skills are reinforced
- as your child develops preferences for types of stories or for particular books, it’s the opportunity to discover their interests, likes and dislikes
- the discovery that reading is a pleasurable activity creates the life-long ability to be entertained with a book
- a sense of empathy is developed and enhanced
- most stories have an element of suspense – being engrossed in a story develops critical thinking and problem solving skills
- reading encourages an increased attention span – electronic activities don’t
- a book with your child each night is a great, calming bedtime routine
There are of course so many other benefits to reading with your child and for being their primary reading role model. Please will you let them know that reading can provide them with information …. and comfort ……. and escapism …… and entertainment too! Pretty please show them that reading creates a world that is bigger, brighter and full of amazement. It’s. Just. So. Good.
Do your children have a favorite book or series of stories? Do you still have loving memories of books you avidly read in your childhood? Did anyone else want to be Trixie Belden when you grew up?
