The Benefits of Reading to Your Children

With full time jobs and busy schedules, carving out time to read to their children is oftentimes overlooked by many parents.  Many are not aware that reading daily to children helps increase their development in the classroom setting, at the library and at home.

Bonding Through Books

Besides the educational effects, reading to your child helps to create a special bond between parent and child.  Even reading to a child in the womb helps soothe and gives the child a comforting experience.  Children learn to relax and are reassured by the sound of each parent’s voice.  Even at an early age, reading helps stimulate your child’s senses. 

Reading Builds Confidence

Reading encourages your child’s confidence and increases their own reading levels by getting in the habit of reading daily.  Reading is a way to help kids open up their imaginations and allows them to picture stories and ideas outside their own personal experience.  Joining a book club can be fun at any age, and also builds self confidence.  Reading and being read to in a group strengthens listening and memorization skills – it’s common to find children who are not yet able to read, but can still recite every word to “Green Eggs and Ham.”

Speech Development

Another way reading helps with proper development is by improving children’s speech. Children easily copy their parent’s voices and are better able to put sentences together at a young age.  They also may learn to read more quickly, pronounce more complex words than their peers can, and often have a better grasp on essential language skills such as spelling and grammar.

Children who frequently read also become better writers and storytellers.  This will follow them through school, helping them to excel in classes and become a more well-rounded individual.