Reading to children opens up a whole new world for them. Stories provide excitement and adventure and capture the imagination. Reading to children is an important activity that builds literacy skills, according to Kids Health. There are a multitude of opportunities to read to children during the day, and Kids Health recommends that parents find time to read with their children every day to create a strong literacy foundation.
Developing a Love of Reading
Early exposure to books and stories can create a lifelong love of reading and books, says Scholastic. Children are delighted to hear new stories and to learn how to interact with the text and pictures within the covers of a book. Scholastic recommends that parents provide a variety of books and read to their child every day. Reading aloud is fun for children and can also teach them a great deal about words and the world around them, reports Scholastic. Children can also learn to love books by watching their parents read, and Kids Health suggests that parents read their own books in front of their children to model good reading habits.
Learning About Personal Interests
Reading benefits children by allowing them to learn about and pursue their personal interests and passions, according to Kids Health. Parents should let their children choose books based on what interests the kids at the moment. This extra interest will motivate children to read. Fiction and non-fiction books should be available to children in order to teach them new things about their interests or allow them to become engaged in a fictional story based on their passions. Kids Health also suggests biographies as a way to capture children's interest.
Learning Life Lessons
Books include a wide variety of experiences that children may have in their own lives. Reading books to children is a way to create a sense of community and show them that other kids have the same kinds of problems and experiences, according to Scholastic. Hearing stories about other children can help develop a sense of empathy and teach children about different cultures and places. Books can also create a connection with situations that children have to deal with, such as going to the dentist or having their first sleepover away from home. Books encourage pretend play and opportunities to use imagination, which will enable children to make sense of the world around them.
Building Connections
As children grow up and head off to school, parents have less time to spend with their children. Reading together every day gives families time to bond with an activity that everyone can enjoy together. Children love hearing exciting stories, and parents enjoy reading to their children. Setting aside time each day to read is an important opportunity to spend quality time together.
