5 Great Reasons to Read to Your Kids
In a recent survey, one in three parents said that they read bedtime stories with their children every night. However, over half the parents said that their kids spend more time with video games and television than with books, and an alarming percentage of families do not have any books in their home at all.
Reading to your kids is not just a pleasant thing to do – it’s critical to their development. They will be better prepared to start school, and one they’re in school, they will learn faster and do better in the long run. Moreover, a daily reading ritual, particularly at bedtime, also helps with emotional growth and can be good for you as a parent as well. Here’s why:
1. A calm evening ritual helps get kids ready to sleep. After the usual chaos of the day, which often includes television shows or video games that can wind a child up, spending 10-15 minutes simply being still and listening to a story helps your child calm down. Focusing on a restful activity slows his mind down and his body relaxes at the same time. Parents often find that this habit has the same calming effect on them. Time spent this way divides the active part of the day from the night’s rest and helps your child make that transition.
2. Looking at a book while someone reads it helps get kids ready to read. Think about everything a child is taking in when looking at a book, even before they know how to read. She is learning what letters look like and that words are made of groups of letters. She sees that pages are read from left to right and top to bottom — basic stuff, but no one just knows it automatically! It has to be learned before one can even attempt to read. In addition, reading helps your child learn new vocabulary words and some of the differences between spoken and written language.
3. Reading helps build a child’s imagination. When a child watches a television show, the story is all there for him. He just watches and takes it in without having to engage his brain. When reading a book or having a book read to him, however, he has to bring his own effort to the process. He has to have a picture in his head of what is happening, creating the experience in his mind. Children who enjoy being read to also enjoy looking at books on their own, using their mind and memory to retell themselves the story.
4. Reading helps children learn about their world. Children’s books, especially picture books, often reinforce the familiar events of a child’s world: going to bed, going to school, habits of hygiene and nutrition, etc. Seeing characters in a book take baths, brush teeth, and say goodnight to toys gives a context for her own daily routine. Other books can teach her about things she has not yet encountered, such as going to a new school, visiting a zoo or a museum, or traveling on an airplane.
5. Reading with your children strengthens your bond with them. Bedtime reading means that the last event in your child’s day is a few moments of peaceful, calm time with mom or dad. If a book raises questions for the child, he can ask them. A story can also give you a chance to talk with your child about a concern you have. Most of all, it builds an emotional connection and allows an opportunity to end the day with some parental affection and cuddle time.
Source: childdevelopmentinfo.com
thanks. nice one
Thank you. I really should start wt d kids . been procrastinating for long
Lots of patience is really needed here……great tips
very nice, tnx MISM,,,, you are really getting me prepared. hehehehehhe
Thanks a lot, MIM.
When hubby reads to our daughter at bed time,always gets me laughing…daddy’s gal.thnx Mism
It’s a beautiful idea.
Thank you. Learning so much even before my kids start to come
Thanks MiSM for this…
I strongly agree
In support of dis
This is a good idea but from what age shd it start becos d child will not understand anything u are reading if u start too early?
Learning….
Learnin oooh
This is good! I op I can keep it up once I start cos sometimes a new baby keeps one busy just abt same time d older kids should b read to.
The kids really love it when their dad reads to them..
Am going to start today
Great
And sing too.
Very Nice n inspiring.
But from what age are u suppose to Start doing this.
All true.
Tanks MISM..Ur really getting me prepared b4 d kids start coming.
Thnx MIM. Being here is been very educative.
Will start buying books to read to my 5months old baby. I read on baby centre that its good to start early Thanks MIM
Ok noted. Thank u admin
Tnx MIM pls @ what age can one start for proper understanding
Yea, thanks MISM
I think i’ll start reading to my 5 months old lil’ man.I’ve been procastinating.Thanks MISM.You’ve been very helpful
Thanks Mism,this i do with my son and it has really helped him in proper pronounciation