Benefits that Highlight the Importance of Reading with Young Children – Part one of two

 We all know that reading to our children is important. But did you know that toddlers and preschoolers who are read to every day have many advantages and benefits. Not only does reading enhance a child’s vocabulary, and to help them understand how to read and write, but reading aloud to children also helps them to understand different topics about the world and everyday life. The importance of reading cannot be emphasized enough in young children and we as parents need to make reading a priority.
1. Reading to young children sets them up to succeed
The more you read to your children, the more knowledge they absorb, and knowledge is important in all aspects of life. There have many studies that show reading to babies and toddlers gives them a head start and helps to prepare them for school later down the line. After all, reading with your children gives them the skills needed for when they start to read themselves.
It is important that children learn to follow words across the page from left to right, and turn pages which are pre-reading skills that benefit children and help them to become better readers later on. Children who enjoy reading not only do better in language and literacy subjects, but in all of the different subjects as well.
2. Reading develops language skills
While you may speak with your children every day, the vocabulary you use is often limited and repetitive. Reading books ensures that your child is exposed to vocabulary on different topics, which means they hear words or phrases which they may not hear otherwise in their day to day lives. The more words they know, the better. For children who speak more than one language, reading is an easy way to help their language skills and is important to develop their fluency.
3.Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain
Reading to young children affects their brain activity and may just give them that boost they need to support and promote their early reading skills. Research shows that specific areas of the brain are affected when young children have reading exposure at home from an early age. These areas are critical for a child’s language development.
4. Reading enhances a child’s concentration
While you may think it is useless reading to a toddler who wants to constantly turn pages, swap books, or throw them around altogether, reading with your little one is extremely important at this age. By consistently reading to your child every day, your child will learn to concentrate and sit still for longer periods of time, which can help later on when they go to school.
This article will continue in the May issue of The Magazine of Santa Clarita.
Courtesy bilingualkidspot.com