The memories of snuggling up with my kids to read a book before bedtime still warms my heart. Now one of my favorite times is reading to my grandkids. The worries of the day fade away while we go on an adventure inside the pages of their favorite books. They point to the pictures, tell me what they’re thinking, and we giggle. It’s hard to believe that something so fun is also good for their education.
As a preschool teacher and family child care provider, I can always tell which children have been read to often. They are the ones that listen best, understand more, and have an easier time learning to read.
Reading to your Child = Success in School
Research backs up what I’ve personally observed. There is a direct link between a parent reading to a child every day and that child’s success in school.
The more words a child hears, the more words they will know and say. This helps them to understand more words and to read when they are older. Reading to your child also helps them learn the basics of reading. For example, children see that letters represent sounds, which make up words. These words are read from left to right and from the top of the page to the bottom. Children who are read to everyday have a big advantage over children who are not read to.
There are a lot of books that parents will enjoy as much as their child does. Even books for babies can be fun for adults to read. My husband’s favorite book to read to his grandchildren is Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton. Everyone is stomping their feet, clapping their hands, making animal sounds, and dancing around the room.
My very favorite book for young children, is one I used to think was boring, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. I’ve learned to love it because my grandchildren all loved it and, unlike my husband’s favorite book, it helped calm them down and go to sleep. A bonus is that Goodnight Moon contains all 44 sounds found in the English language.
This helps toddlers be able to hear the difference in words that sound similar. I consider Goodnight Moon to be a must-own book for every young child.
Children should own some of their own books to look at over and over again when they want. A book can become as loved as a favorite toy, and children find that a favorite book can be comforting. I get great deals on children’s books at garage sales, second-hand stores, and used bookstores. Scholastic Reading Club has great values on new books that you can order through most preschools and elementary schools. The library is a wonderful resource too. Children enjoy visiting it as much as a field trip and they love to pick out books to borrow. There is often a scheduled reading time at the library, which children enjoy.
Look at the pictures, read to your child, snuggle, and giggle. You are helping to ensure your child’s future success. The benefits and the memories of reading to your children will last a lifetime.
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