10 Reasons You Should Read To Children
You probably know, or have heard, that reading to your child is beneficial to their learning, but do you know the specific advantages your child receives when they are exposed to reading? Here are 10 of the wonderful benefits of reading to your child that show just how important it is.
Educational success.
One of the best benefits of reading to young children is that they develop a higher ability for learning in general. Research shows that children who are read to before entering preschool are more likely to do well in all areas of their education.
Basic language skills.
As a toddler and preschooler, your child is in the process of learning critical verbal and enunciation skills. By listening to you read aloud, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds that form words. As a preschooler, your child will start to sound out words on her own.
Builds a bond with you.
As your child gets older, she’ll be constantly on the move—playing, running, and exploring. Cuddling up with a book allows the two of you to slow down and enjoy quality time together. Instead of being another chore, let reading become a nurturing time that will bring you closer together.
Better communication skills.
Toddlers who are read to are much more likely to learn how to express themselves and relate to others in a healthy way. By observing the interactions between the book characters, as well as the communication with you during story time, your child will gain valuable communication skills.
Mastery of language.
Children who are read to at an early age are better able to grasp of the basics of language as they reach school age.
The basics of how to read.
Children aren’t born with the knowledge that they should read text from left to right. They also don’t know to separate words from images. These are essential pre-reading skills that will benefit them when they go to school.
Logistical thinking.
Being read to increases your child’s ability to grasp intellectual concepts, apply logic in a variety of scenarios, recognise cause and effect, and learn good judgment. As your child starts to relate the book scenarios to his reality, he’ll get more excited about the stories you read.
Improved concentration and discipline.
Toddlers may have a short attention span and become easily distracted at story time, but eventually they’ll learn to sit still and listen. Along with reading comprehension, they will build stronger self-discipline skills and better memory retention.
Better acceptance of new experiences.
If your child is experiencing a potentially stressful situation or new experience (like first-day-of-school jitters), sharing a relevant story is a great way to ease the stress.
Learning that reading is fun.
Early reading helps your child see books as something enjoyable, not a chore. Kids who are exposed to reading are more likely to choose books over video games and television later on.
Books can benefit your child in a variety of ways. As parents, reading is one of the most important things you can do to prepare your child for school and their educational success.
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About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in Preschool and Kindergarten teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and is passionate about kids crafts and having fun as a family. Angela has also taught cooking skills and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Inspiration Edit. Follow her on Pinterest!
My youngest and I read every night after school….One of the school books and I love that time together. Reading is so important. x
Oh that’s awesome Kim! It is super important!
For me, reading to children is vital! We have always done it before bedtime and it won’t stop. I love to see a child with a book!
I agree reading is key for smalls, my dudes have speech issues so it really helps them learn more and sounds etc when they hear a story plus they can get involved with sounds x
I strongly believe if you encourage reading it helps a lot even in adult years. Still love reading, but don’t read as much but feel it is the independent way of kids learning for themselves x
I totally agree with this. The better start a child has the better the future!
I hope people will be inspired by this post to read to their children more. I always had a bedtime story when I was younger, but it seems now that many people let their kids watch tv or turn on the ipad before bed!!
I agree.. sometimes I have done that when I’ve been unwell but it’s always best to read together when you can.
I totally agree with you reading with kids from a young age is so very good for their development and also bonding.
I couldnt agree with you more and even though I dont have children, I love facetime with my nieces and nephews who read to me via it x
I used to love reading with my mum and my auntie when I was a kid, definitely a bonding experience x
It sure is and helps in so many ways.
My children are developing their reading skills. I did read to them when they were little and we read regularly as we have books from the school each week and also have reading challenges set every so often. It helps so much with English skills and creative writing.
Ah I also love Roald Dahl. My daughters both have very advanced language skills and I definitely think that’s because my husband and I have been reading to them since they were itty bitty babies. The older was even my MFA thesis partner!
I always try to get my niece to sit so I can read to her – I think I enjoy it more than she does. I still love being read to myself!
I love reading to my 2 year old. We read The Gruffalo about 3 times a day.
its beautiful to read to children especially to form that close bond you have mentioned. many great benefits of doing too
I think at this point my younger one would be pretty outraged at idea of bedtime without a story from Mum or Dad! I love seeing how much a of bookworm my older one is after years of reading to him every night.
I love when my son brings me a book to read to him. we always read a book at bedtime but having him want to do it at other times of the day keeps me happy!
We used to read with our children every night, and read a bedtime story to them too. Consequently they have been very successful with their language and literature skills. I think it is so very important. Once you have a love for books it will always be with you
My daughter is only 4 months old, but I love reading to her. We just bought her some more books today.
Oh that is really cool! I read some people read to babies in the tummy too!
I love reading to my boy, we’re currently loving the Demon Dentist, such a great time to bond.
Totally agree with you. Reading with your child has all the benefits, no downside and is fun too. What more could you ask for?
Great post.
#KLTR
I also find it quite relaxing for the parent (well kind of!) – its usually the only time I get to sit down with an actual book and not look at a screen x
Love reading with my little girl – such a special bonding time together and all the other benefits too are just added bonuses for us! #KLTR
I love reading to my girls. I had heard bedtime stories were happening less but I find it hard to imagine. TV and ipads are not the same as books. My eldest loves books so far. #kltr
There’s nothing that beats snuggling up together at the end of the day and reading books. #KLTR
Totally agree. I think reading is one of the most important thing we can do for our kiddos to improve their chances at really embracing learning.
It really is. Any reading or literacy activity can reading help our kids. 🙂
Absolutely. I love reading and my children do too. At parents night the reiterated how well my children were doing and it is because we read together and we talk about it. They then want to read themselves and love to read. This is one of the most important things I feel I can do with them xx
It’s so important. Thanks for stopping by!
There is nothing nicer than sitting down to read a book together. My older children are independent readers now but we still read some things together, I like to pick a bigger book and we read a chapter at a time. It’s quality time together even though I now their reading and language skills are fine.
#KLTR
Great post! ? Reading is so important for all around success at school. Thank you for sharing and Thank you for hosting #KLTR
I think reading with your child is so, so important. I love reading with mine 🙂 #ktlr
thanks Laura. It sure is important and fun too.
some of my favorite moments with my mom as a kid are her reading to me! even when i was older, i’d make sure to be nearby when she read to my younger brother and sister so i could hear her!