Reading- Learning & Loving Combined in One

Reading is one of the most fun and constructive hobbies. Besides keeping one gainfully occupied, reading is also an excellent way to gain some knowledge and expand your horizons. But can reading benefit small children who cannot even hold a book, or is it just sound for them? Read on as we explore and explain the benefits of reading for young children.

Benefits of Reading to your Child

Reading helps children develop their vocabulary, imagination, and their conversational skills. Babies imitate their mothers and try to copy the sounds they make, allowing them to speak later on. Apart from this, reading together is an excellent bonding activity and helps the child get into a routine early. It is an activity that parents and children can do together, and your child will look forward to this time you spend together. Reading together also helps to build socio-emotional skills.

Reading from an early age also prepares the child for writing, which he/she will do once they get a little older. It is not surprising then that, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics, children who are exposed to reading at an early age tend to do better in school, as compared to children who haven’t been exposed to books. Children exposed to books enter school knowing what to expect and are ready to learn. If nothing else, then this should be reason enough for you to start reading to your child at an early age.

When should you Start Reading to your child?

If you’ve had a difficult delivery, take your time to settle in and get comfortable. You will have so many people telling you what you should do and what you shouldn’t. Listen to your heart and listen to your body. Start reading to your child when you feel you are up to it. Please don’t make it a necessary chore; let it become an activity you enjoy and look forward to. Find a cozy spot, and it may be near a window, your favorite chair, maybe the garden, where you can both cuddle and read. The love of reading can be instilled at a very early age; the earlier, the better. Many to-be mothers start reading to their children even when they are still in their tummies. Once they are born, you can continue reading to them. If you didn’t start then, start now. It’s never too late. Studies show that the baby recognizes the mother’s voice and finds it soothing. As the child grows older, you can gradually introduce them to touch-and-feel books that help with sensory perception.

How to Inculcate the Love of Reading in your Child

Nothing can be more accurate than the fact that a child will always imitate the elders around him. If you enjoy reading, likely, your child will too. Here are a few tips to help you and your little one get started on reading. Make reading a part of your bedtime routine. If you start this at an early age, your child will gradually develop this habit. Even when your children are a little older, don’t stop reading to them. It helps keep your bond strong and is a wonderful way of spending time with them, even when they are older. Read as a family. Set aside some time every day, where the entire family reads books of their choice. Make it a no-screen hour: no iPads, no TVs, phones, or any other screens. Discuss the books you and your children have read and shared what you liked and disliked about them. Share your views and encourage them to share their thoughts and help your child form his own opinion about the books he/she reads. This will also help your child develop his/her thinking abilities independent of you. Get books about places you may be planning to visit with your children, such as the zoo or a farm. Show them pictures of things you are expecting to see. Get books on topics that you think may interest your child, such as vehicles, animals, etc. Encourage your child to join book clubs in school and make visits to the library a part of their life. The first 3 years of a child’s life are critical to language development, and a tablet or phone cannot teach them the skills that reading can. Once you develop this habit in your child, it will hold him in good stead throughout his life, and something he will be grateful to you for forever. Do your child a favor and start reading to him/her at an early. It’s the best gift you can give your child.  

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