by Dr. Kim Grengs, Parent Coach
Did you know that in order to succeed in life one must be a successful reader? To read is to succeed. Literacy is an act of power and freedom for children. It creates a sense of well-being for children. The most effective way to cultivate a love of reading in children is to read to them frequently. Read and succeed.
School Connection:
Did you know that reading to a child daily puts them almost a year ahead academically of children that do not receive daily reading? Furthermore, reading aloud benefits children in so many ways. It improves cognitive development. As a result, they improve their ability to think and understand while remembering, problem solving, and decision making.
Reading triggers brain cells and those connections are strengthened. As well as, new brain cells are formed during reading and reading aloud. Therefore, reading aloud to children creates a larger vocabulary, helps them to understand their world and their place in it, and provides in them a sense of well being.
Home Connection:
Beyond the academic success, the bond that you create with your child is immeasurable. Likewise, one of the most important things a parent does to positively influence their child’s development is to spend time with them.
Reading to your child creates a bond of trust and lets them know they are important. It is a time that both of you can look forward to spending time together. Parental beliefs and attitudes about reading have a large effect on children.
Benefits:
Seven ways reading benefits children:
1. Improve language skills
2. Increase concentration
3. Improve imagination and creativity
4. Cultivate a lifelong love of reading
5. Awareness of the world using background knowledge
6. Develop empathy
7. Creates a bond with parents
In addition, children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard 1.4 million more words than children who were never read to. Even children who had one book read to them a day hear about 290,000 more words than those who do not get read to at all. Children that are read to are more likely to pick up reading skills more quickly and easily.
Fun fact
Board books have around 140 words in print and picture books had an average of 228.
Seven Ways to Raise a Reader:
- Have many books available and within easy reach.
- Let your children see you reading.
- Read books together regardless of age.
- Balance activity schedules with reading time.
- Restrict screen time.
- Talk about books together.
- Visit the library often.
According to Jim Trelease, author of the best-seller, The Read-Aloud Handbook: “Every time we read to a child, we’re sending a ‘pleasure’ message to the child’s brain.” How great! What a gift to give our children! Every time you read with your child you are making a connection with school and setting your child up for success… in school and life. To read is to succeed.
According to Dr. Seuss “The more that you read, the more you will know, the more that you know, the more places you will go.”
Visit these sites for more information:
INTERESTED IN COACHING? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.