The Importance of reading books for kids
The importance of reading should made aware in every community across American, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Growing up, I knew nothing about the significance of reading and the impact it could have had on my success, and as a result of this, I struggled in many different areas academically. Not only did I struggle in college, but I also struggled with preforming well in standardized tests such as the SAT’s and GRE’s.
I made a commitment to myself to expose my children to books early on in life because I don’t want them to face the same challenges that I did.
The research about reading is clear
The fact of the matter is that reading to our kids will determine how much they thrive in certain areas of life. There are SO many benefits to reading to your children daily, and the research is clear that daily reading can change the trajectory of your child’s academic success and, therefore, life in a big and positive way.
Reading is more than just an essential skill needed to thrive academically; it is also a skill that will teach your child many other essential skills that are needed to thrive in life. Reading has many, many layers and once you begin to read to your child daily, you will begin to unpeel the layers one by one and discover the wonderful joy and benefits that comes with it.
Why daily reading to your child is important, especially for Black children
If you’re like me, someone who didn’t grow up with reading in their home, you’re probably wondering why reading to your child daily is important, and that is a great place to start. Reading is great for language development and vocabulary expansion. Reading to your child is also a great to help them develop a love for reading and learning.
Studies have shown that young children whose parents read to them at least five books a day or for about 20 minutes a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids whose parents never read to them. Even kids whose parents read only one book to them a day will hear about 290,000 more words by the age of 5 than those whose parents don’t read to them regularly. Exposure to these words will in turn help in boosting a child’s vocabulary, comprehension, as well as academic success.
This all sounds great, doesn’t it? But the problem is that not all children are read to daily, especially Black children. Black children are disproportionately impacted by low literacy rates. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. As parents, you have the power to help improve your child’s literacy.
Black Children are falling behind
Before my first child started kindergarten, I heard of the statistics of Black children falling and staying behind in their reading. That’s why it was important for me to make an intentional effort to help my child develop her literacy skills.
I am going to be the first one to admit that as a mom to three young children, life is busy. If I didn’t make an intentional effort in my house, reading could have easily been left out of our daily routine.
I wake up, get the kids ready for school, drop the kids off at school and head to work. After we get home from a busy day, we are tired! But we still have to make dinner and do homework.
As you can see, our weekdays are usually pretty hectic. But no matter how busy your life may be, the importance of adding reading into your child’s daily routine even on those busy days can help improve your children’s literacy.
Read: 25+ Best Books For Toddlers Age 3
The important benefits of reading to your child
As I have mentioned, the benefits of reading to your child are many. But here a few that I believe is worth highlighting:
1) Language development: Reading to your child daily exposes them to words that will help them develop their language.
2) Improves literacy: Literacy is your child’s ability to read, write and communicate successfully. Reading to you child every day with help improve their literacy success in those areas.
3) Expands vocabulary: Reading exposes your child to new words they wouldn’t have heard otherwise which gives them more words to use to communicate better.
4) Learn about the world: Reading opens up your child’s mind to learn about new cultures and learn how other people differ from them.
5) Increase academic success: If you child is able to read, understand, write, and communicate efficiently, that will help increase their academic success.
6) Improve positive self-image: Reading exposes your child to different people encouraging them to accept and love themselves as they are because they will come to learn and understand that everyone is different and unique in their own ways.
7) Enhance imagination and creativity: Reading will take your child’s imagination to a whole new level. As they are given descriptions of characters and places in the books they read, they will have to use their imagination and creativity to bring that place to life in their mind.
8) Develop empathy: Reading introduces your child to different situations that helps to develop empathy for the characters they have come to know and love.
9) Improves memory: Having to keep up and remember the storyline will improve overall memory.
10) Enhances focus: Reading requires slowing down and focusing in order to really into the book.
11) Helps with brain development: Reading can expose children a variety of situations that can cause different emotions which lights up different parts of the brain.
12) Improves communication skills: And of course, with developing vocabulary, your child will be able to communicate and express themselves better.
Also read: A Productive Morning Routine Chart For Kids
Why you should use a reading log
Reading starts at home and can open many doors for your children that leads them to a life of exploration, meaning and purpose, and a level of higher thinking.
Reading with your child daily for just 20 minutes is a great way to expose them to new vocabulary and improve their literacy. That’s why I created a Reading log along with other resources for my daughter. Using a reading log keep yourself as a parent accountable to make sure that your kid is reading daily. My Reading Log Bundle is a great resource for that. Get your copy here.
Final words
Kids who struggle with literacy or in school are not so thrilled about going to school or learning. Reading with your child every day will foster a love for learning. Start reading with your children at a young age and it will pay off in the long run.
