There are many benefits to reading with children every day, particularly struggling readers. It is essential for their education, development, and relationship building. Read on for more information on these advantages you can share with your parents.
7 Reasons Why Reading With Children is Important
The Guardian reported on the annual Understanding the Children's Book Consumer survey from Nielsen Book Research. The data shows a significant drop in parents reading to children daily. Of 1,596 parents of 0-13-year-olds, only 51% read to their preschool child daily. This is a drop from 69% in 2013.
The Nielsen Book Research found reasons included struggling to “find energy at the end of the day” and “the child's preference to do other things.”
When it comes to reading, there are many benefits to doing so with children every day. Reading helps improve vocabulary, comprehension and fluency skills. In addition, reading regularly with children also has emotional benefits. Here are seven reasons why reading with children should be a daily habit:
Reading Improves Reading Skills
This is the most obvious benefit of reading with children, but it bears repeating. Every time you read with a child, you're helping them develop the skills they need to become better readers.
Reading Boosts Vocabulary
Another significant benefit of reading with children is that it helps them build their vocabulary. The more words they are exposed to, the better able they will be to understand what they read and communicate with others.
Reading is Fun!
One of the best benefits of reading with children is that it can instil in them a love of reading. When reading is fun, they'll be more likely to want to do it on their own, and that will benefit them for years to come.
Reading Improves Listening Skills
Listening is essential to reading, and reading with children can help them become better listeners. Paying attention to the story allows them to follow along, and they'll also start to pick up on reading cues, such as changes in tone or pacing.
Reading Helps Children Learn About the World
Reading provides children with a window into worlds they might never otherwise get to know about. It can introduce them to new places, people, and ideas and help them better understand the world around them.
Reading Can Be a Calming Activity
Finding ways to slow down and relax can be tricky in today's fast-paced world. Reading together can provide that much-needed time to unwind and recharge. It's a chance to cuddle up close, share laughter or a few tears, and enjoy each other's company.
Reading is a Way to Model Reading Behaviour
Finally, reading with children is an excellent way to model reading behaviour for them. When they see you reading, they'll be more likely to want to read themselves. Show them that reading is enjoyable, and they'll be more likely to follow your lead.
What Next?
Want to know more? Take a look at these related posts:
Benefits of Different Reading Materials for Struggling Readers
Strategies to Help When Children Make Reading Errors
The 5 Stages of Reading Development
A List of Quality Questions for Reading Comprehension
Do you read with your children every day? What are some of the benefits you've noticed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Thanks for your section on the different types of books that you can give to your kids. I was thinking of getting my kids some early chapter books for girls and I’m glad to see that it seems to be a great fit for kids their age. It’s good to know that these books can teach them not only, the lesson within the book itself but traits such as patience and a wider vocabulary. I’ll be sure to follow your suggestions and ease them into more and more complex books as they grow older, and in case I have any more kids in the future, I’ll be sure to follow this as well! Thanks once again!
Thank you, Tammie!
I agree with what you said that reading books with children every day helps boosts their vocabulary, comprehension, and literacy skills. My niece is turning four soon, and my sister plans on having a small intimate party with the family. I’ll buy my niece a children’s book set because of what you’ve said here. Thanks.
Thanks for letting me know Levi! I am sure your niece will love whatever books you choose.
I liked what you said about how he will be able to learn a lot of new words and build independence and confidence while allowing them to develop their sense of empathy. My niece has been thinking about getting into reading more for her classes because she is really bored. Getting a pirate book from a professional could be really useful for her and she would really like to read some more.
I had no idea that reading to your child every single day can help them to develop empathy for other people! This is extremely important to me because I want to make sure that my four-year-old daughter grows up to treat others with kindness and respect. It would be great to find some affordable books to buy so that I can spend more time reading with my daughter instead of watching so much TV during these times of quarantine and COVID.
Love your layout and graphics. It’s sad that people don’t want to or can’t or don’t think about reading to their kids. It’s such a lovely thing to do. I know my parents read to us and I read to my kids when they were wee. I wish they’d let me read to them now. Cheers.
It is so true Lisa! I have very fond memories of being read to by my parents all those years ago 🙂