When you read to your kids, you ignite a love for books and create an imagination that will last a lifetime.
Today’s post is going to be short and sweet but so important. I’m so passionate about reading to kids. I think reading can make the difference between a child who loves to learn and one who might struggle in school. In fact, parents who read to their kids nightly will expose their kids to over 300,000 more words before age 5. Think about the vocabulary you can help your kids build just by reading a book or two every day! So here are my top 10 reasons to read to your kids every day (incase I haven’t convinced you already)!
10 reasons that reading aloud to your kids will have life long benefits!
1. Enhances Language Skills
Reading helps to build vocabulary, improves grammar and introduces different sentence structures. This also helps kids use more words in their everyday conversations.
2. Develops Imagination
While listening to you read, a child can build an imaginary world in their head, with characters, places, animals, and more. Later, they can use this imaginary world in everyday play and continue to build on it.
3. Increases Your Child’s Vocabulary
By reading just 5 books a day, you will expose them to over 1 MILLION words before they start kindergarten. {Holy vocabulary words!} Make sure to explain the meaning of any words they may not know.
4. It’s Free and Fun!
Today’s world is so expensive. It’s seems like just stepping out your front door with kids costs money, let alone going to the zoo or a restaurant (cha-ching). Reading is free, especially if you head to your local library to grab a bunch of books.
5. Increases Emotional Intelligence
Kids can explore different characters’ perspectives, which can help develop empathy for different emotions and situations.
6. Exposes Kids To New Cultures And Experiences
Traveling the world with your kids sounds amazing but it’s not always practical. Reading gives you a way to expose kids to any and every culture around the world. Reading about others’ traditions, foods, locations and religions can give kids an insight into how different and vast the world is!
7. Helps Extend Attention Span
This is one of the most important Kindergarten readiness skills in my option. Listening to stories helps kids develop focus and patience that are essential for everyday life.
8. Teaches Moral Values
Books are a great way to teach kids right from wrong in everyday day situations and build good character for the future. Even books geared to young kids generally have a moral to the story that kids can learn about. Think generosity, forgiveness, bravery, kindness and so many more.
9. Strengthens Bonds With Your Child (One of my favorite reasons!)
Reading aloud helps create a special bond with your kids. Reading daily promotes trust and creates a comforting routine that they will look forward to. My 8 year old will tell you his favorite part of his day is when we sit down to read before bed.
10. Reading Aloud To Your Child Will Help Them Love To Read For The Rest Of Their Lives!
The more kids are exposed to books, the more likely they will develop a love for reading as they get older. Just think how nice it will be for your kids to want to read especially when they have to do it for homework!
Did you know that your child may be eligible to receive a free book every month from birth until age 5? Check out The Imagination Library by Dolly Parton. Enter your address and see if there is a free book program in your area. I did this with both of my kids! Every month they loved checking the mail to see what book came. This is also a great way to build your library at home for FREE!
