Photo from Pexels

Originally Posted On: https://bippermedia.com/10-benefits-of-reading-to-children/

 

Did you know that kids who read at least 20 minutes a day are exposed to around two million words a year? In addition, they’re more likely to score better on standardized tests than 90 percent of their peers. But, how do you build a love of reading in your children? It all starts before they even know how to read. You need to read to your children from a young age. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of reading to children.

1. Improve Thinking Skills

When you read to your child, they are thinking about the story. As you read, you can help them improve and develop their critical thinking skills by asking them questions.

This will also help them later in life with reading comprehension. You can ask questions like, “what do you think will happen next” or “why do you think the character did this.” Keep the questions on their level but give them a chance to get involved in the story.

The questions you ask should allow them to give opinions, predict, analyze, and develop solutions to problems.

2. Encourage Independent Reading

Why read with children? This is a critical component of teaching children to read because it helps to encourage them to develop independent reading skills.

You are your child’s first teacher, and you probably already know that children will mimic what you do. When they see your reading, they will want to learn how to read.

When listening to you, they will learn how fun a story can be and will want to be able to understand the words in books themselves.

3. Build Knowledge

The first six years of your child’s life are a significant time for learning. Your child will go through periods of development that allow them to understand the world.

They never stop learning as they grow up; however, they will learn more than at any other point in their lives in the first six years. Your child will learn from you, strangers, and teachers. They also learn from what they’re watching on tv, a computer, or other devices.

Books have the potential to allow your children to learn a lot. For example, consider popular children’s books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. 

These books are fun, and they teach your child valuable lessons. The Very Hungry Caterpillar allows you to practice counting with your child and for your child to learn about how caterpillars turn into butterflies. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a fun way to introduce the alphabet to your little one.

Books allow your child to learn about different people, places, things, and events. This helps them build their knowledge and understand the world around them.

4. Develop Empathy

As your child grows, they are building social skills. One important skill they need to develop is empathy.

Empathy allows your child to build stronger relationships with their peers and teachers. Empathy also helps encourage the acceptance and tolerance of others.

As you’re reading to your child and they become engaged with the story, they can identify with the characters. This helps your kids see things from the perspective of other people. In addition, it helps them develop empathy.

5. Build Listening Skills

The ability to listen and comprehend what is being said is essential for your child to succeed in school. However, many children struggle with those skills.

Reading to your child helps build them. As you read, they actively listen for details.

Just a few minutes a day can help them build the listening skills they need for life and school.

6. Bonding Time

Around 46 percent of surveyed parents say they only talk to their kids for a max of four hours a week. In addition, 54 percent would love to spend more time with their kids.

Let’s face it; families are busy. You run from one activity to the next, and time together that’s not filled with distractions like the tv or phones is rare.

Taking the time to silence your phone and read with your child is valuable quality time. This allows you to bond with your children, and they will begin to look forward to that time every day.

This will also teach your child to associate books with love. This brings us to our next point.

7. Instill a Love of Reading

Reading together with your child every day creates a healthy habit. By surrounding your little one with books, they will grow up and be adults who love to read.

A lifelong love of reading will help your child continue to learn for school or work as an adult. It will also encourage them to continue reading for fun and learning.

8. Build Vocabulary and Language Skills

Your child learns to speak by listening to you. Reading to your child helps them hear good grammar usage and language structures.

As they begin speaking, they will mimic what they hear. Yes, they later learn about verbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and adverbs in school. However, the learning starts at home.

In addition, when you’re reading to your little ones, you’re exposing them to new words. This helps your child build their vocabulary.

A more extensive vocabulary gives your child an advantage in school. In addition, if your child has a particular interest, you can read books that focus on this together.

This helps them begin to learn the jargon. For example, if your child is fascinated by dinosaurs, you can read books about dinosaurs.

Not only will it nurture that interest, but it will also help them begin to learn the names of dinosaurs and other facts about dinosaurs. Children who are exposed to reading have a richer vocabulary.

Take Advantage of the Benefits of Reading to Children

Reading skills are essential to success in life. There are many more benefits of reading to children that will set your child up for success in life.

Are you looking for more education opportunities for your little one? The Learning Experience makes early education engaging, joyful, and fun. Schedule a tour today, and let us help you instill a love of learning in your child.

The Learning Experience – Overland Park West
13305 Pflumm Rd
Overland Park, KS 66213
(913) 814-3734
https://thelearningexperience.com/center/overland-park/