Words can't describe how important it is for you to read to your child frequently. Besides giving that one-on-one time, there are many other benefits of reading to your child each and every night.
Reading to Your Child: Why It's Important
When you read to your child, you teach them:
Reading and sharing stories can also be a way to calm children.
Reading to a child has been found by research to be the single most important thing parents can do to influence their child's success in learning to read.
- New words, such as the names of people, animals, and things
- Words they will use when they learn to talk
- About the world they live in
- To watch and listen
- That reading and sharing stories is a fun way to be with others
Reading and sharing stories can also be a way to calm children.
Reading to a child has been found by research to be the single most important thing parents can do to influence their child's success in learning to read.
General Tips for Successful Reading:
- Use funny, different voices when you read and share stories. It will keep your child interested. You can also sing the words!
- Read slowly so your child learns that the words you read go with the pictures in the book.
- Make sure to find a comfortable spot and a time when you have no other distractions.
- Before reading, take a "picture walk" through the book and see if your child can predict what the book is going to be about.
- Point out the cover of the book and the back of the book, showing your child where the title is and what the title of the book is.
- While reading, make sure the child can see the pictures and the text
- After reading, discuss the book with your child and ask a few simple questions about the book.
- Let your child practice "retelling" what happened in the story to you.
- Re-read books to your child. This is beneficial to them.