The Importance of Reading to Children
Growing up, my parents read a story to me every night. I
always assumed it was the standard in every child's bedtime
routine across the country. As a teacher with my degree in
Early Childhood Education, I know the importance of reading
to children. The benefits associated with a simple daily
bedtime story seem endless. Imagine my amazement when I
read the statistic stating that only 39% of parents read to
their children on a daily basis (Young, Davis, and Schoen,
1996). In a word, I was flabbergasted. I've witnessed the
struggling readers and the impact that has on their daily
lives. When a child has difficulties reading, everything
in school suffers as a result. Would something as simple
as a daily ten minute bedtime story interaction between a
parent and child prevent these kids from struggling
throughout their school years? Could it really be that
simple? I want parents to know how vital it is to read to
their children everyday.
Benefits
Teaches Basic Reading and Writing Skills
When children are being read to, they are taking in so much
at once. Simple things experienced readers may take for
granted are introduced during the first few years of life
while listening to a story. Children who are familiar with
books know how to hold a book and turn the pages from left
to right. They know that the book has a title.
Pre-readers also understand that the book contains pictures
and words and they start distinguishing words and letters.
They begin to recognize that the printed text is read from
right to left and top to bottom, which is directly related
to beginning writing skills. School districts expect
children to be reading simple word texts by the end of
kindergarten, and having these basic skills can propel them
toward success.
Teaches Basic Listening Skills
It's true, as I experience it in the classroom everyday.
Some children don't have the ability to sit still long
enough to listen to a story. It can be possible that some
children may have trouble because of a disability, but
others may simply lack the insight to what story time is
all about. Making story time at home a daily, fun and
engaging activity can encourage children to get excited
about story time at school which can also discourage
behavior issues.
Promotes Vocabulary and Language Skills
Just think of all the new words children hear from books.
Our daily conversations do not require much use of complex
language or vocabulary and can hinder the development of a
child's oral language. Reading to a child can introduce so
many new words, especially nonfiction titles. Children's
literature provides great models of language for children.
In hearing the flow of the writing and the innovative
words, especially in repeated readings of the same text,
can nurture children's language development.
Builds Knowledge of the World
As in language development, reading exposes children to
worlds of new information. As a teacher, I used books to
teach children about a topic, such as a place, or a person,
or a topic. The amount of information a child can learn
from books is never-ending, which leads into the next
benefit.
Fosters a Love of Reading
Enabling children to enjoy reading is one of the most
important gifts a parent can do. Kids will learn reading
skills in school, but they will come to associate reading
with work, not pleasure. As a result, they may lose their
desire to read, effecting their schoolwork and desire to
learn. When a parent shares an exciting story with a
child, and in turn, gets excited with the child, the parent
is showing how much fun reading can be. Jim Trelease,
author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, encourages parents to
lead by example by stating; "Make sure your children see
you reading for pleasure other than at read-aloud time.
Share with them your enthusiasm for whatever you are
reading".
Encourages Parent-Child Bonding
Reading aloud also creates a special time for parents to
bond with their children. Cuddling together for a bedtime
story, you'll be helping your children develop a lifelong
appreciation for reading. (Reading Aloud, n.d.) Builds
Self-Esteem Children often want to hear the same story
over and over. Just as adults may need to hear something
more than once to remember or understand, children are the
same way. Trelease (2001) makes a very interesting point,
"Those of us who have seen a movie more than once fully
realize how many subtleties escaped us the first time. Even
more so with children and books". He also points out that
repeated readings can turn a child into an expert on a
particular book. The child feels good about himself and
connects that good feeling with reading (Trelease, (2001).
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Written by Constance Anderson
Teacher
University of South Florida Grad Student
Mom
co-owner of http://www.tinytotboutique.com
