The Importance Of Reading
To Children
Written by Constance Anderson
Teacher
Growing up, my parents read a story to me every night.
I always assumed it was the standard in every child's
bedtime routine across the country. As a teacher with
my degree in Early Childhood Education, I know the importance
of reading to children. The benefits associated with
a simple daily bedtime story seem endless. Imagine my
amazement when I read the statistic stating that only
39% of parents read to their children on a daily basis
(Young, Davis, and Schoen, 1996).
In a word, I was flabbergasted. I've witnessed the
struggling readers and the impact that has on their
daily lives. When a child has difficulties reading,
everything in school suffers as a result. Would something
as simple as a daily ten minute bedtime story interaction
between a parent and child prevent these kids from struggling
throughout their school years? Could it really be that
simple? I want parents to know how vital it is to read
to their children everyday.
Benefits
Teaches Basic Reading and Writing Skills
When children are being read to, they are taking in
so much at once. Simple things experienced readers may
take for granted are introduced during the first few
years of life while listening to a story. Children who
are familiar with books know how to hold a book and
turn the pages from left to right. They know that the
book has a title.
Pre-readers also understand that the book contains pictures
and words and they start distinguishing words and letters.
They begin to recognize that the printed text is read
from right to left and top to bottom, which is directly
related to beginning writing skills. School districts
expect children to be reading simple word texts by the
end of kindergarten, and having these basic skills can
propel them toward success.
Teaches Basic Listening Skills
It's true, as I experience it in the classroom everyday.
Some children don't have the ability to sit still long
enough to listen to a story. It can be possible that
some children may have trouble because of a disability,
but others may simply lack the insight to what story
time is all about. Making story time at home a daily,
fun and engaging activity can encourage children to
get excited about story time at school which can also
discourage behavior issues.
Promotes Vocabulary and Language Skills
Just think of all the new words children hear from
books. Our daily conversations do not require much use
of complex language or vocabulary and can hinder the
development of a child's oral language. Reading to a
child can introduce so many new words, especially nonfiction
titles. Children's literature provides great models
of language for children. In hearing the flow of the
writing and the innovative words, especially in repeated
readings of the same text, can nurture children's language
development.
Builds Knowledge of the World
As in language development, reading exposes children
to worlds of new information. As a teacher, I used books
to teach children about a topic, such as a place, or
a person, or a topic. The amount of information a child
can learn from books is never-ending, which leads into
the next benefit.
Fosters a Love of Reading
Enabling children to enjoy reading is one of the most
important gifts a parent can do. Kids will learn reading
skills in school, but they will come to associate reading
with work, not pleasure. As a result, they may lose
their desire to read, effecting their schoolwork and
desire to learn. When a parent shares an exciting story
with a child, and in turn, gets excited with the child,
the parent is showing how much fun reading can be. Jim
Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, encourages
parents to lead by example by stating; "Make sure
your children see you reading for pleasure other than
at read-aloud time. Share with them your enthusiasm
for whatever you are reading".
Encourages Parent-Child Bonding
Reading aloud also creates a special time for parents
to bond with their children. Cuddling together for a
bedtime story, you'll be helping your children develop
a lifelong appreciation for reading. (Reading Aloud,
n.d.) Builds Self-Esteem Children often want to hear
the same story over and over. Just as adults may need
to hear something more than once to remember or understand,
children are the same way.
Trelease (2001) makes a very interesting point, "Those
of us who have seen a movie more than once fully realize
how many subtleties escaped us the first time. Even
more so with children and books". He also points
out that repeated readings can turn a child into an
expert on a particular book. The child feels good about
himself and connects that good feeling with reading
(Trelease, (2001). |
