The Benefits of Reading
- This Or That Mom
- Sep 15, 2019
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 29, 2019
I can’t stress enough the benefits of reading to your kids. Reading in general helps children learn to concentrate, problem solve, extend their vocabulary and verbal skills, learn about new topics, and of course provides one-on-one time with a child and parent.
I’ve personally found the best way to help my kids retain information and hold onto new knowledge is simply by repetition, and I truly feel like routinely reading to my kids has made a significant difference in their lives and learning. I’ve also noticed that letting them lead the way and choose what to read gives them independence and feeds their initiative to keep reading more and more.
I’ve made the mistake of thinking my kids are too young or not ready to actually retain information from books, but they continue to surprise me with their observations, questions, and new language skills. We aren't perfect, but we try to read at least a few books a night. My 3 year old knows all his letters and is starting to sound words out, and I know he wouldn’t have been able to do that if we didn’t read as much as we do. It’s hands down, the best way to give your kids a head start on their education... and it's FUN quality time spent together.
I asked these parents to share how often they read to their kids and the benefits they have received from reading routinely.
How often do you read to your children?
I read to my boys (10, 7, 5, 3) every day. We also do audio books. I read to them in multiple languages. In languages I am fluent in, but also in the languages I am still learning myself, like Spanish.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
My children have a huge vocabulary and most of them are capable of expressing themselves really well by using words. They have a great imagination and my 3-year old can talk for hours while taking you on a journey in his own created story. My oldest can create extensive story lines. I love that the 4 of them can play together for hours, playing out scripts. They also enjoy role play, without even knowing that is an actual thing yet. Every Summer our local library has a Summer reading program where you can read for prizes. My boys don’t have to do anything extra, and enjoy all the books they normally do plus getting extra fun stuff too. And the prizes are huge, like going to a waterpark or amusement park. Another benefit is that reading to my child is a moment together and it strengthen our connection.
Reading together can be a party too. We have weekly poetry tea times. Where we decorate the table with a (fancy) tea set and nice cookies and/or cupcakes and each child reads aloud or recites a poem.
How often do you read to your children?
I read to my children before nap time and before bedtime every day. We also read to them at any other time that they ask to be read to and at any other opportunity that presents itself. I like to have 1-2 books in my diaper bag to read at appointments or restaurants, as well as, a few books in the car to read.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
Reading to children is essential to building their vocabulary and starting a lifelong love for learning. I’ve noticed that my son is very interested in locations that we’ve read about or events that have happened in books. For example, after reading about Pompeii, he now wants to visit Pompeii, we’ve read multiple books about volcanoes and we’ve had in depth discussions about Pompeii, volcanoes and the destruction that can occur from natural disasters. This initial reading about Pompeii also resulted in us talking and reading about other places with volcanoes.
Early literacy and reading, especially shared reading, are essential to young children.
How often do you read to your children?
We usually read books twice a day. They are the perfect entertainment for snack time and a wonderful way to calm down during bedtime.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
There are so many benefits I have noticed, it is hard to capture them all in a few short sentences!
I am most amazed by the early literacy skills my children developed such as being able to form a prediction, gain phonological awareness, and connect characters and situations in a story with things in their own lives or with similar books. This has helped them further develop their empathy by better understanding how the characters are feeling.
While we love fun and silly stories, we also read a lot of books that teach important life lessons about kindness, perseverance, friendship, and building self-confidence. These types of books have helped reinforce important values for my children and help them through difficult situations. For example, when my daughter was scared to start her swim lessons, we read a book about being brave and it gave her the courage to get into the water.
I have also noticed that my children have a rich vocabulary and have become great storytellers themselves. They have terrific imaginations and one of our favorite things to do when we are waiting in line or are on a long car ride is create our own stories.
One of the things that surprised me is how much my children know about the world. We read a lot of books that are set in different countries, we read picture book biographies of a variety of people, and we read about other nonfiction topics that have helped make them more curious and eager to learn about the world around them.
I’m sure reading has affected them in even more ways than I realize. Books are something that they absolutely love and I hope that they will become life-long readers.
http://librarymom.com
How often do you read to your child?
Reading has always been a big part of our kids' lives. A stack of picture books has been a part of our bedtime routine since day 1. Having the routine is key, and it certainly helps us make sure we never forget. Our son is 6 years old now and our daughter is 3 - and they've been read to every single day of their lives. We don't plan on stopping anytime soon either. I think everybody likes to be read to, and there's no reason we can't be reading books to each other around the house for a long time to come.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
The benefits of reading are far too numerous to ever list them all, but it's worth pointing out that our 6-year-old never needed to be taught how to read after all those years of read alouds. The worlds we visit in picture books feed our kids' imaginations. They encourage their creativity. They nurture their empathy. They introduce them to new concepts and new experiences every day. Books do so much more than teach - they add magic to their childhood. Our kids are kind, passionate, and wise - and I don't take any credit for it. Being exposed to the beautiful art in a story is simply good for you.
How often do you read to your children?
Reading for us is an everyday bedtime ritual. There is not a single day when we don't read. Days when I don't put my daughter to sleep, my husband reads to her.
Have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
She has found her answers in books. We hardly have any screen time for her but over 240+ age appropriate books. Now she is 5 and can read on her own. We noticed that she her grasping power and vocabulary has improved by leaps and bounds.
How often do you read to your children?
I started reading to my 3 year old son from 2 months onwards.. Now with 4 month old twins I've been reading to them since they were a few weeks old along with the older one. They not only enjoy books that are specifically for them but also get to hear my older son’s favorite stories..
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
I think it has not only helped in his vocabulary and listening skills but also helped in creatively exploring his imagination. As for the twin babies, I look forward to seeing how they take to reading. As of now they seem happy.
I can’t wait for them to become avid readers and story tellers. Let’s see how its goes.
How often do you read to your children?
I try to read to my 11 month old every day, we’re not perfect but we’ve been reading together nearly every day since he was a newborn.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
I feel like he’s been drawn to books from an early age and it’s been sweet to see how he interacts more with the pictures now that he’s older.
How often do you read to your children?
I read to my kiddos everyday! We always pick 2-3 books before bed to read. Then if we’re at home most of the day we read throughout also. I can say no to tv and iPads but if they bring me a book to read I can’t say no! 😊
Have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
They not only learn and grow so much but the quality one on one time is amazing also. The reason I started selling books to begin with was to get as many free books for my kids as possible and I couldn’t be happier on how I have accomplished that. I know reading doesn’t prevent/solve everything as my son has a speech delay, but it has helped him grow and get better everyday. He knows all his upper and lowercase letters and can count to 15 at the age of 2. And my 3 year old is starting to spell and can write most words. I honestly don’t believe this would be happening without books in their lives everyday. 😊
How often do you read to your children?
I read to my 1 year old son almost every day during bedtime.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
I see how happy he gets when I take out his favorite books. I noticed him speaking more words since I started reading to him regularly
How often do you read to your children?
We read to our children every day! Our everyday goal is 2-3 picture books (or a chapter or two of a chapter book for our oldest, who is just transitioning to chapter books) before bed. While we hit that goal most nights, I do have to admit that there are nights when we just don’t get it done! We also try to stick reading in throughout the day whenever we can— both of our girls LOVE to listen to stories while they eat, so we often read over breakfast or snack, and we usually listen to audiobooks together on the way to and from school.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
Our girls love books! I think their love of reading books and listening to stories is the most obvious benefit. But, my husband and I both feel that our reading habits have given us wonderful opportunities to bond with our girls. Additionally, they’ve used books to overcome fears (such as Saturday is Swimming Day or I Need My Monster), build vocabulary, and gain an understanding of the people and world around them.
How often do you read to your children?
We read to our children every night before bed. It’s been part of our routine for 6 years now! We usually read something from our kids’ bible/devotional & then another book from their choice.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
We’ve noticed so much growth in them by doing this. When we read the same books, they’ve started to memorize what the pages say. Another thing we notice is when we come across a word they don’t know or haven’t heard before, they’ll stop us and ask us to explain what it means. It’s so neat how all these moments are teaching moments, and how they just soak it all up!
How often do you read to your children?
I always try to read daily at bedtime to my son now he read on his own too.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
Reading helps a lot improving vocabulary,his writing skills,sentence formation and gaining so much knowledge in terms of environment, good habits.
How often do you read to your children?
Usually several times a day - picture books, poetry and chapter books
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
They both love books and ask me to read them all day long. I think that’s because it’s become a part of our lifestyle. They are both interested in learning how to read because the motivation is there. (My oldest started reading on his own at 4, my three year old is showing a lot of interest in letters and letter sounds).
How often do you read to your children?
I read to my children every day, before each nap time and bed time. It is a wonderful part of our routine that allows us time to bond and enjoy a book together free from all other distractions.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
My oldest is four and the questions she comes up with, as well as the ability to converse with others about topics covered in books we’ve read always amazes me. The biggest benefit for her has been inspiration, she finally got up the courage to try her pedal bike because of a book we read together!
How often do you read to your children?
Daily. Usually 5 books minimum.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
It helps him with this language skills and word recognition. He is also in a reading program.
How often do you read to your children?
I read to Roman every night before he goes to bed. Sometimes he falls asleep because we read so many books 🤭 he loves them.
How have you noticed your child benefiting from reading to them?
I do believe reading definitely benefits their learning, when Roman plays he will find his books and turn the pages pretending he’s reading in his goo goo ga ga language hah xx
Comments