5 Reasons to Read to Your Child at Home

Reading to your child has always been encouraged. It’s now understood to be more important than ever to read aloud to children. Parents can expect a return on their investment when they devote time to reading to their child.

The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to read to their children from birth. Children who are read to are at a better advantage as they enter school. According to the Academy, 2/3 of American children are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade. By the time they are in middle school, these children are further behind.

Here are some reasons to read to your child:

Reading to your child creates a connection. With physical proximity, children feel nurtured when they are read to. Reading becomes associated with positive feelings.

Parents who read to their children can help them learn new words. It's a good way to shape their language.

Researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2014 found that children between 3-5 who listened to a story showed activation in the left brain, which is responsible for language and memory processes. Researchers also found that older children with literacy-friendly homes had higher activity in the left brain.

Children more easily learn to picture stories in their mind’s eye while listening to them. They can learn to picture characters and shifts in the storyline. Children can also make predictions with the support of a parent.

Information from books allows a child to expand their knowledge base.

If your child struggles with reading or reading comprehension, educational therapy can help address the difficulties.

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