Why Parents Should Read to Kids

One of the best ways to develop a love of reading in your children from a young age is to read to them as often as possible. Doing this simple activity can have benefits for them throughout the course of their lives while providing enjoyment for your family now. Here are some reasons you should consistently devote time to reading to your child, regardless of their age.

Learn About Your Children

You may be worried that your children don't talk much about their feelings or perhaps they are experiencing problems that are unknown to you. Reading together at night can be an excellent time to feel out and learn about these issues.

On a basic level, a reading ritual allows for you to have dedicated and intimate time every day with your child that other activities, such as television, would not offer. In addition, nothing will get your child talking faster than opening doors to new worlds. With the correct book, attention will be placed solely on the reading experience. Also, this focus will open a perfect opportunity to discuss issues that your child is going through now or will go through in the future.

Educationally, you will learn about the areas in which your children are struggling most. For example, if they have difficulty reading or sounding out words when you offer for them to read, then you will the importance on developing that skill.

Offer Knowledge

Books are great teaching resources for children of all ages. Depending on the difficulty level of the book, new vocabulary may be introduced that will allow for a wider range of discussion. Critical reading skills will be inherently taught through the books, allowing them a leg up when they enter into the more advanced reading courses they take later in their educational career.

Of course, the subject matter of books is relevant to the child's learning as well. Biographies and nonfictional resources can be just as stimulating for some as fantasy books. By taking advantage of all literary resources and genres will allow for a wider range of knowledge as a child grows.

Develop a Love of Reading

A love of books can be one of the most important qualities to foster in your children. Books offer a wide range of coping mechanisms that would otherwise be shut off from children as they age.

Whether it's recreationally or educationally, the ability and desire to read individually is an important habit to foster. Reading has been shown to lower stress, extend knowledge, improve memory, and improve learning abilities. The benefits to reading are nearly endless, but none of those positives can be acquired without habitual reading.

Conclusion

Overall, parents with children of any age should not shy away from dedicating time every night to reading aloud. Whether you do it as a bedtime ritual or during breakfast, what's important is that you spend time every day building up all of the positives that reading aloud can offer.