The Importance of Reading to Your Children
August 25, 2022
Reading allows us to be transported from our world to another. Between the pages of a book, we can become immersed in the lives of fictional characters and learn about a culture entirely different from our own. We can also learn new words and phrases, experience a range of emotions, and acquire skills and knowledge. Because of the learning potential, the effects of reading on child development are extensive, and multiple studies have highlighted its benefits. Here are a few reasons why it’s essential to make reading a vital part of a child’s daily routine.
Supports Cognitive Development
Cognitive development refers to how we perceive and think about our world in reference to our intelligence, reasoning, language development, and information processing. By reading to children, you give them a deep understanding of their world and fill their brains with background knowledge. They then use this acquired background knowledge to make sense of what they see, hear, and read, which aids their cognitive development.
Improves language skills
Reading daily to young children, starting in infancy, can help with language acquisition, communication, social, and literacy skills. This is because reading to your children in the earliest months stimulates the part of the brain that allows them to understand the meaning of language and helps build key language, literacy, and social skills.
Develops Empathy
When we read a book, we put ourselves in the story in front of us. This allows us to develop empathy as we experience the lives of other characters and can identify with how they are feeling. Children can then use this understanding to empathize in the real world with other people. Additionally, children will gain a greater understanding of emotions, which can help them understand their own and those of others.
Helps Builds a Strong Relationship
Parents who regularly read with their children will develop a stronger relationship with them. Reading allows parents to have a shared event that both parent and child can look forward to. Furthermore, it provides children with feelings of attention, love, and reassurance, which is crucial to nurturing and well-being.
Increases Concentration
Very young children rarely sit still for long, and it’s often difficult to get them to focus, but when you introduce regular reading to your children, you may start to observe a behavior change. Toddlers may initially squirm and become distracted during story time, but eventually, they’ll learn to stay put for the book’s duration.
Les Enfants believes that reading is vital to lifelong learning. If you can instill a love of reading at an early age, a commitment to lifelong learning will surely follow. Reading aloud presents books as sources of pleasant, valuable, and exciting experiences. Children who value books are motivated to read on their own and will likely continue to practice independent reading throughout the rest of their lives.
