You probably already know that one of the best things you can do for your child is to read to them. However, have you ever stopped to consider why this is the case? Research shows that there are many benefits to regular reading time. It doesn’t even matter what type of book it is. It is the act of reading together that stimulates your child’s mind.
Below, Glendalyn Fodra, a devoted mother of two with a strong sense of family values, explains why parents should read to their young children.
Building Vocabulary
The most obvious benefit of reading is building skills around your child’s vocabulary. Even at a very young age pointing to the words as you read shows that words convey meaning. As your child gets older and begins to read by themselves, they will learn more and more new words through the reading that they do.
Bonding
Reading is one of the best ways that you can bond with your child. There are not many times where you are both concentrating and interacting with the same thing. Sharing this experience can be a great way to get to know your child better and improve your relationship.
Boost Creativity
Reading encourages creativity, and it isn’t just fiction that helps. Any form of reading requires your brain to think about different situations and scenarios, which is part of developing imagination. By setting aside a small portion of the day to read, you are regularly stimulating the areas of the brain that are involved in out the box thinking, resulting in more imaginative and inquisitive children.
Improved Empathy
When children read stories, they put themselves in the position of the characters within the book. Your child feels part of the story and experiences the same emotional ups and downs as the people in the book, teaching them empathy. You can enhance the benefits by asking your child questions after you finish the story. Asking what happened or how they think the character felt, drives home the message that it is necessary to think of others feelings.
Encourage Learning
Encouraging learning at an early age is crucial if you want your child to develop into a curious and thoughtful person. Acquiring knowledge is one of life’s great joys. Instilling the habit early on in a child’s life is planting a seed that will continue to grow into adulthood. Not only is this of personal benefit to them, but it will also help them integrate and contribute towards society.
These are just a few of the many benefits of reading. Every parent should try to put aside time to read to their child at least once a day. It doesn’t have to be at bedtime, although this can be a good time as they have your full attention. However, if your child shows interest in reading during the day, this is as good a time as any.
About Glendalyn Fodra:
Glendalyn Fodra is a devoted physical therapist with 25 years of experience in various settings. She is also BLS certified and has mentored PT students. In her professional life, she’s devoted to teamwork and achieving excellence through patient care. Mrs. Fodra focuses heavily on skilled nursing and geriatrics, an interest fueled by her desire to improve the quality of life of her patients.
