Reading allows us to transport ourselves into different worlds. New words can be learnt, different emotions can be felt; your imagination can run wild.
But why is it particularly important for you to be reading to your children? The answer lies within the developmental process of a child.
Assisted cognitive development is the first reason why reading to your child is important. Cognitive development refers to “how we perceive and think about our world in reference to our intelligence, reasoning, language development, and information processing” (https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/why-is-reading-important-for-children/). It’s true, a baby’s brain is like a sponge – easy to absorb the information it is given. Thus, through cognitive development, a child is able to make sense of the world around them and be able to problem-solve better.
Secondly, reading to your child allows them to become more empathetic as they are constantly put in front of different characters and situations. Developing empathy is important as it allows one to understand emotions better and how to respond to certain situations.
Thirdly, reading to your child allows them to feel validated and loved. By spending time with them you are building your bond.
Creativity and concentration skills are also improved by reading as it encourages your child to sit still and listen for long periods of time. Did you know that “Multiple studies have found a correlation between reading for pleasure and higher academic achievement in every subject, not just English?” (https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/why-is-reading-important-for-children/)
Some tips for reading to your children:
- Read as much as you can and consistently: whether it be for 10 minutes a day or an hour, the most important thing is that you are reading!
- Be patient: reading is an activity that requires you to fully engage with what you are reading as well as your child’s responses.
- Make it fun and interactive by using different voices, pointing out connections and asking questions to test their understanding.
- Encourage language exchange through conversation or verbal storytelling.
Reading is a wonderful form of entertainment and your children’s vocabulary will expand. It is important that they are surrounded by books. If you do not have the means to always purchase a new book, consider joining a public library or even using the wonderful resources available on the internet. Let’s continue to create a culture where we encourage the people in our lives to read more to their children as they are the future of this world.
