From the earliest years, reading can have a profound effect on a child’s life. From an infant developing familial bonds whilst listening to a parent read a bedtime story, to an adolescent exploring challenging concepts and new ideas through the literature they digest, reading is an important part of development and should be encouraged throughout childhood. I have teamed up with a private nursery in London to highlight some of the reasons you should keep the bookshelves stocked and make reading a key part of your child’s routine, no matter what their age.
Infants & Young Children
Long before they can form a sentence or reel off the alphabet, babies and young children can benefit from literature. Even those who are yet to utter their first word have already embarked on the journey of learning to speak. As you read aloud, you expose your child to thousands of words, familiarising them with the sounds and rhythm that make up the foundations of speech. Studies have linked reading to children in infancy with improved vocabulary and literacy skills in later years. Between the stages of learning to talk and learning to read, children can begin to comprehend so much about the world from being read to. The characters they encounter can teach them about important concepts such as empathy, kindness, sharing and friendship.
Early Readers
For those who are learning to read themselves, practice is so important to help them gain confidence and master their new skill. Reading will help improve their literacy skills and broaden their vocabulary. Encourage reading at home and have your child read aloud to you, then ask them to explain what has happened in the text. This will strengthen their comprehension of the sentences they encounter, helping them find the connection between the words on a page and their meaning. Take turns reading each page and use different voices for each character to make the experience feel fun and interactive.
Older Children
Once your child has mastered their literacy skills it is just as important to encourage them to keep reading. Reading for pleasure has innumerable benefits, helping children learn about the world around them, develop empathy for others and gain a sense of self. Their general knowledge will expand, their vocabulary will continue to grow and they will learn to challenge their thinking by considering alternative perspectives. Making reading a habit throughout childhood will encourage a lifelong love of books, helping to reduce stress and maintaining cognitive alertness throughout their lives.
What are your thoughts on reading?
*Collaborative post
