The Importance of Reading to Young Children
Children of all ages benefit when parents read to them. Reading aloud stimulates the growth of a child’s brain and equipped them with the ability to acquire language skills. In fact, it is the fundamental way of teaching your child how to read. Exposing children to reading opportunities at an early age develop fluent readers than other children who are not read to.
A baby enjoys hearing the parent’s voice even when they do not understand the word. Books with lot of rhyming words are comforting and interesting to them.
A toddler learns how to hold the book and flip pages. They also begin to notice details in the books and relate experience similar to theirs.
A preschooler listens to books with more words. They enjoy following through the sequence of events that happen in the story and enjoys funny stories.
A kindergartner memorize the story before they begin to read. They enjoy retelling or enacting the story to others.
Reading should be a pleasurable activity to children. Reading to your child daily when he or she is in a good mood, is one of the best ways to cultivate your child’s love for reading. When more reading opportunities are provided for your child, you are on your way to cultivating a fluent reader.
Some strategies that parents can adopt:
1. When reading a book with large print, point at each word as you read it. Your child will understand that the word being spoken is the word she sees.
2. Read a favorite book over and over again.
3. Read stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat, and have your child join in.
4. Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, poems, and non-fiction.
5. Creating a quiet, special place in your home for your child to read, write, and draw.
6. Keeping books and other reading materials where your child can easily reach them. Having her own bookshelf or small bookcase will not only make her feel special, but will also communicate to her that reading is special.
7. Reading books, newspapers and magazines yourself, so that your child can see that reading is important.
8. Limiting the amount and type of television you and your child watch.
(Adapted from Brainy Child)
Choosing a good book can inspire children’s reading; widen children’s knowledge and creativity; and aid them in becoming lifelong readers and writers. Furthermore, reading together is a fantastic bonding activity for families.
Why wait, start reading to your child today and enrich their life!
