The Importance of Reading to Your Children

One of the main reasons I decided to write this article is because I recently learned about a 6-year-old child that does not know how to read. Not because the child has a learning disability but simply due to the fact that no one in his family, including his parents, seem to have the time to teach him.

Actually, there is one person that has tried and the child claimed to not understand the importance---that the children in his class did not know how to read either so why should he.

My husband and I have been reading to our daughter since the day she was born. We are a bilingual family and read to her in both languages. Our parents also chip in and read to her. Her book collection started way before she was born, so needless to say, reading is very important to us.  

One would think that every parent would know and understand the importance of reading, but that doesn’t seem to be true. Even though we are always telling children that reading and books are good for them, there seems to be a disconnect between what we are telling them and what we are showing them.

 A good amount of parents do not take the time to sit with their children and teach them this basic, yet important milestone. If you are going to read, the most important reading you can do is with your children. At first, they learn to associate pictures with words and eventually as they get older they will learn their meaning.

Although reading and writing abilities continue to develop throughout life, the early childhood years--birth through age 8--are the most important period for literacy development. Books help children develop vital language skills, enhance their social skills, improve hand-eye coordination and provide some good, clean fun amongst many other benefits. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics "strongly recommends reading to children every day, starting after they are first born," because "reading stimulates the development of the brain, language and a closer emotional relationship with a child."

According to Lesia Oesterreich, extension family life specialist: “Parents should read to infants and toddlers. They learn to associate reading with the comfort and security of being held and with the wonderful sound of a parent’s voice.  Preschoolers enjoy hearing the same story over and over again.  When reading books that repeat phrases, such as The House that Jack Built, give young children an opportunity to participate by letting them read the repetitive parts with you. 

"Preschoolers love to 'pretend' to read by telling a favorite story they have memorized. Increase your child’s involvement by stopping occasionally to ask questions or talk about what is waiting for them at the turn of a page.  Questions help children develop important language skills," Oesterreich said. "Encourage older children to read aloud to younger siblings or to read aloud a dramatic piece from a play or a poem.  Most children love to put on a good performance.”

Some children will pick it up effortlessly and others will require a bit more patience. The more they read the better they will get at it, and the more confident they will become. The more pleasurable the topic the more likely they will stick with it and enjoy it.

Either way, it is our responsibility as parents to show our children this wonderful, creative and imaginative opportunity, which will open many doors in their future. 

Are you facing any reading challenges with your kids?

Here’s a site that can help you: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/pm1529e.pdf