Reading To Your Child:
Why is it Important?
The Benefits
There are many benefits to reading to your child at home before they start school, and in the early elementary years. The Huffington Post lists many benefits of reading to your child. Bonding, getting ahead in school, increasing vocabulary. teaching by example, and boosting self esteem and communication skills are the benefits they list.
Looking Deeper at the Benefits
Bonding
Reading with your child is a great way for the two of you to bond. The time you spend reading to your child is building a relationship with them. It's these small moments that count and that you, as a parent, will treasure.
Success in School
A study in 2013 by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research showed the advancement of children who are read to. Children between 4-5 years old that are read to 3-5 times every week are about 6 months ahead of their classmates in reading, and if they are read to every day they are about a year ahead. Reading with your child will greatly enhance their education.
Vocabulary
Communicating with your child will help their vocabulary expand. However, books contain complete senses and a fuller vocabulary that exposes your child to larger, more advanced words.
Leading by Example
Your child will see you reading and want to be like you! You're a major influence on your child. Reading has many benefits for you and your little one. It will increase your child's attention span, and you reading will increase your own knowledge. Even if your child just watches you pick up a book and read it on your own it will influence them to want to read.
Boosting Self Esteem and Increasing Communication Skills
Increasing their vocabulary will enhance their communication skills. They will know more words which will help them express themselves better and build their confidence. "With more knowledge comes more confidence." - Gemm Learning.