The Importance of Reading

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 to Children

This article will primarily address the importance of reading to your child, 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 Daily

*This chart was given to me years ago by the public school, and I cannot find the source*

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.

Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child?

1. Creates a Parent-Child Bond– Reading with your child creates a special bond. It allows you to have quiet time each day where the two of you can be together.
2. Improves Vocabulary– When you and your child read together, you can help build your child’s vocabulary
3. Improves Comprehension– Reading together gives your child a chance to improve their comprehension of spoken language
4. Improves Memory– Reading with your child gives them a chance to flex those brain muscles.
5. Improves Critical Thinking– Reading with your child gives you a chance to ask your child questions like why? You can discuss answers to improve reasoning and critical thinking
6. Improves Confidence– As your child becomes a better reader, their confidence will grow
7. Develops Social-Emotional Skills– Looking at characters together is a great opportunity to understand the motivation behind their actions. What does your child think about the characters and their behavior?

Epilogue

Please let me know if you have any questions about the importance of reading.