The Importance of Reading and 7 Helpful Reading Readiness Tips

Many of you may not know this but, in addition to running Beyond the Bookends, I am also a trained, licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with teaching certification who has been working with children for 15 of my 20 years in the field.  I see firsthand the power and importance of reading.

I am in a unique position to offer helpful tips for reading readiness. I can combine two of the things I love the most: Books and language to help demonstrate the importance of reading skills to your children and with your children.

Of course, if you have any concerns about your child’s development, please consult with your pediatrician. This post and the ones that follow are not meant as a diagnostic tool. Instead, it is my hope that this series of posts will help jump-start your love of reading with your child.

Importance of Reading Books

Why is Reading Important? // Importance of Reading // // Reading Readiness Tips // More Information By Age // Reading Stages Explained // FAQ About Reading Readiness //

Why is Reading to Children Important?

Kirsten and I are so excited about this post. The posts will primarily address the importance of reading to your child and developing reading readiness skills, but I will also look at many related areas in further posts that are a part of this series.

As a parent, I am always looking to help my children in any way I can but there is so much information that it can be overwhelming. It can feel like you are doing something wrong. 

Rest assured, every time you read a book to your child you are helping them develop their language skills.  You are also giving them important lessons in communication. 

The Importance of Reading

What does this chart show? It shows the importance of reading to children. There is a huge difference in the number of words heard a year, the number of hours read, as well as performance on tests between kids who read twenty minutes a day vs minutes a day vs one minute a day.

If your child reads for 5 minutes a day, they will have read for 212 hours by the end of 6th grade. If they read for 20 minutes, they will have read 851 hours by the end of 6th grade. The difference is staggering for a mere 15 minutes. And the difference is clear through performance on tests. This chart makes the importance of reading books very clear.

Helpful Reading Readiness Tips:

1. Read to your baby/ child even if you think they aren’t listening. You would be surprised how much kids can take in even if they are doing something else (not including playing on an electronic device). Kids are constantly learning new things and reading to your child is a great way to expose them to language.
   
2. Engage with your child to help further their language development. You can narrate what you are doing throughout the day as well as narrate what your child is doing. Ex: I am going to put on your shoes now. Left shoe, right shoe going on your feet.
   
3. Make story time fun and interactive. There are many ways to make reading a favorite time of day. Change the intonation of your voice, make silly voices, and let your child or baby help you turn the pages. You can point out where you are reading as well. Don’t worry about being too silly. Getting your child to engage is the most important thing for reading readiness skills.
   
4. Let your child’s imagination run wild while reading. Ask a lot of questions- even when your child cannot talk. If they cannot answer, you can answer for them. Be sure to let your child expand their imagination. You can vary the books you read so they are exposed to new words. Your local library is a perfect place to visit to pick out new books regularly.
   
5. You can help develop your child’s reading readiness by choosing the right books. If you are not sure where to start, go to the library and pick out a variety of books to see what your child enjoys the most. Of course, I have so many recommendations for you as well. You can have a look at my posts below with choices of books for babies through emergent readers.
   
6. The importance of reading books that are at the correct level can grow your child’s confidence as a reader. This is a really important tip. Typically, kids will understand at a higher level than they can read themselves. If they are reading independently, let them guide the level. If they want to read a graphic novel, GREAT! Any reading is better than nothing. You can help them get to a higher level of independent reading by reading to them.
   
7. Incorporate reading into your daily routine. From the time your baby comes home until they are independent readers, you should incorporate reading into your daily routine to help them further their reading readiness skills. If they are independent readers, choose books that are slightly higher than what they can read independently. Stop to explain new vocabulary and ask questions. You can do they same with babies even when they cannot answer you. Developing language skills is the first step on the path to becoming a lifelong reader.

Steps Toward Reading Stages explained

1. Reading Readiness

2. Phonological Awareness and Pre-reading skills

3. Beginning Reader and Emergent Reader Books

More on the Importance of Reading and Reading Readiness Skills

We have been wanting to do something on the importance of reading and developing reading readiness skills for a really long time. If there is something that you want to ask or you have a topic you’d like us to cover, just send us an email and let us know. You can also find us on Instagram. Happy reading!!!