Benefits of reading for kids
From cognitive development to navigating emotions, there are many benefits of reading to your kiddos. Here are just a few great reasons why you should incorporate a bit of reading time into your daily routine.
- Reading grows their vocabulary.
- It improves their language skills.
- Stories help to develop their imagination and creativity.
- Reading is a vital component of cognitive development.
- Reading can prepare your children for academic success.
- Spending time reading together will strengthen your bond.
- Reading may improve your child’s concentration and work ethic.
What are the benefits of reading to babies?
On a physiological level, reading with children translates into the activation of areas in the brain that are connected with understanding language and visual imagery. Reading to your babies and young children encourages the progress of cognitive development. This encompasses your child’s ability to think and understand, which includes problem-solving, decision-making, and memory. Reading aloud to older kids is important too. It can help to expand their vocabulary by exposing them to more words. In addition, reading with your older children will help spark their curiosity and improve their listening and comprehension skills.
Through reading, you can expose kids to so much more than what they would experience in day-to-day living. Stories present physical and emotional challenges that can help them navigate their own obstacles when the time comes.
Tips for reading to your child
As you can see, whether your child is an infant, toddler, pre-schooler, or pre-teen, there are many benefits to spending time reading together. Try these seven tips to create an enjoyable reading time together:
- Turn off TVs, radios, and other distractions.
- Cuddle up close while reading together. If your child is still small enough, let them sit on your lap.
- If they are old enough, let them hold the book and turn the pages. This will encourage them to remain focused on what they are reading.
- Let them pick the book or story for reading time. Autonomy usually helps them to be more interested in the experience.
- When reading picture books, look at the pictures. Ask them questions about the pictures and point out things on the pages. For example, “how many butterflies can you count?”, or “what color T-shirt is Rupert wearing?”.
- Ask questions about the story during and after. Before turning a page, you can ask your kids what they think might happen next. After a story, you can ask them how they feel about certain events that happened in the book. It’s a great way to encourage them to identify and put words to their feelings.
- If you’re feeling up to it, you can use funny voices, sound effects, and different accents while reading the story. Your kids will love it!
Here are some ideas for how to incorporate reading time into your daily routine:
Our lives are so full, so start off with just setting aside fifteen minutes a day for reading together. It can be challenging to start a new habit, even a fun one. Here are some ideas to get you going.
- Read to your children before they go to sleep at night.
- Young children are often tired after playschool. Help them relax and recharge by spending the first fifteen minutes or half an hour after school reading together.
- Always have a book with you (in the car or in your handbag). Then, if you have to sit and wait somewhere, you can spend the time reading together!
- You don't always have to be the one doing the reading. Reading aloud is great language practice for older kids. Get them to read to you while driving home from school or waiting for an appointment.
- Encourage your children to always have a book with them.
Stimulating your child’s cognitive development doesn’t have to cost the Earth
Reading to your children is an affordable way to spend quality time together and get their little brains growing strong. You can visit your local library for regular new reading material. Also, be sure to frequently check your Save mailer for discounts and coupons for new books. The Save blog is a great source for tips on saving money and more ways to enjoy spending time together as a family.
