The Importance of Reading to Children
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Growing up, my parents read a story to me every night. I always assumed it was the standard in every child’s bedtime routine across the country. As a teacher with my degree in Early Childhood Education, I know the importance of reading to children. The benefits associated with a simple daily bedtime story seem endless. Imagine my amazement when I read the statistic stating that only 39% of parents read to their children on a daily basis (Young, Davis, and Schoen, 1996). In a word, I was flabbergasted. I’ve witnessed the struggling readers and the impact that has on their daily lives. When a child has difficulties reading, everything in school suffers as a result. Would something as simple as a daily ten minute bedtime story interaction between a parent and child prevent these kids from struggling throughout their school years? Could it really be that simple? I want parents to know how vital it is to read to their children everyday.
Benefits
Teaches Basic Reading and Writing Skills
When children are being read to, they are taking in so much at once. Simple things experienced readers may take for granted are introduced during the first few years of life while listening to a story. Children who are familiar with books know how to hold a book and turn the pages from left to right. They know that the book has a title. Pre-readers also understand that the book contains pictures and words and they start distinguishing words and letters. They begin to recognize that the printed text is read from right to left and top to bottom, which is directly related to beginning writing skills. School districts expect children to be reading simple word texts by the end of kindergarten, and having these basic skills can propel them toward success.
Teaches Basic Listening Skills
It’s true, as I experience it in the classroom everyday. Some children don’t have the ability to sit still long enough to listen to a story. It can be possible that some children may have trouble because of a disability, but others may simply lack the insight to what story time is all about. Making story time at home a daily, fun and engaging activity can encourage children to get excited about story time at school which can also discourage behavior issues.
Promotes Vocabulary and Language Skills
Just think of all the new words children hear from books. Our daily conversations do not require much use of complex language or vocabulary and can hinder the development of a child’s oral language. Reading to a child can introduce so many new words, especially nonfiction titles. Children’s literature provides great models of language for children. In hearing the flow of the writing and the innovative words, especially in repeated readings of the same text, can nurture children’s language development.
Builds Knowledge of the World
As in language development, reading exposes children to worlds of new information. As a teacher, I used books to teach children about a topic, such as a place, or a person, or a topic. The amount of information a child can learn from books is never-ending, which leads into the next benefit.
Fosters a Love of Reading
Enabling children to enjoy reading is one of the most important gifts a parent can do. Kids will learn reading skills in school, but they will come to associate reading with work, not pleasure. As a result, they may lose their desire to read, effecting their schoolwork and desire to learn. When a parent shares an exciting story with a child, and in turn, gets excited with the child, the parent is showing how much fun reading can be. Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, encourages parents to lead by example by stating; “Make sure your children see you reading for pleasure other than at read-aloud time. Share with them your enthusiasm for whatever you are reading”.
Encourages Parent-Child Bonding
Reading aloud also creates a special time for parents to bond with their children. Cuddling together for a bedtime story, you’ll be helping your children develop a lifelong appreciation for reading. (Reading Aloud, n.d.) Builds Self-Esteem Children often want to hear the same story over and over. Just as adults may need to hear something more than once to remember or understand, children are the same way. Trelease (2001) makes a very interesting point, “Those of us who have seen a movie more than once fully realize how many subtleties escaped us the first time. Even more so with children and books”. He also points out that repeated readings can turn a child into an expert on a particular book. The child feels good about himself and connects that good feeling with reading (Trelease, (2001).
Watch the video related to children books
Help answer the question about children books
If i write spanish children books where should I sent them?I am not a recognize writer, but I love writing spanish stories for children, can someone tell me where should I send my stories???
About Author
Written by Constance Anderson
Teacher
University of South Florida Grad Student
Mom
co-owner of http://www.tinytotboutique.com
November 25th, 2003 at 10:51 am
it’s almost like a photo
great painting 
November 25th, 2003 at 10:59 am
dude, you own! this looks identical to a photograph
November 25th, 2003 at 3:49 pm
awesome stuff man,….ama practice hard to get to yo level!
November 25th, 2003 at 10:45 am
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
“The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.”
Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.”
November 25th, 2003 at 11:25 am
If you are a university student (or if you are a full teacher, most universities will allow their alumni on the journal search portals), use your university library journal base (WilsonSelect, etc.) to identify journal articles on parent roles in reading skill acquisition (e.g. reading daily to child, pointing out and using environmental print together consistently, etc.). Most of the information out there is in peer-reviewed journals. Also, try the links below for general information. Good luck!
November 26th, 2003 at 12:36 am
wich program he is for doing this ? beside a tablet ofc
November 26th, 2003 at 1:39 am
My children are straight A students. Both were tested as Gifted and Talented, one in K and one in 2nd grade and they both could read by the time they were 4. They both chose to be baptized when they were old enough to decide. My point is that you do not have to be stupid to be a believer. You can still be an educated person that enjoys life. God believes in seeking knowledge and truth so why shouldn't we?
May God Bless you.
November 26th, 2003 at 4:19 am
i dont really think you have to do much more, you dont want your older son feeling like its a chore doing things with his younger brother, maybe just simple things like let them go to the shop together on their own, as long as its not to far. maybe get the older 1 to take the younger 1 to the park again as long as its not to far.
dont push them together because it might backfire & push them apart
xx
November 26th, 2003 at 12:04 pm
Cured bacon is a preserved meat. It can be transported and consumed without refrigeration like corned beef and jerky. The fat or grease from frying bacon can also be used to make biscuits. So bacon actually had a high value in a war since an army tends to travel as far as that army has food. You have heard the expression “an army travels on it’s stomach.” Well, bacon gave an army a lot of marching time.
The other advantage of bacon was calories and protein. You do not need to eat a lot of bacon to get enough calories to get you through the day because of the high fat content. Bacon usually has enough protein to get a person through the day.
It also does not hurt that United States was a large pork producer. The US is still a very large pork producer to this day.
November 26th, 2003 at 4:24 pm
I cannot agree more with you….my Father forced us to read when I was small, we were also a family of readers. I love reading and later because I read so much, I could read extremely fast. It helped me so much in my life. Because I could read so fast I could study much faster than other students at Varsity…I have also introduced my little daughter to the "art" of reading. It is quite sad because it seems to me children do not read as much today, too much TV, PS 2 and 3, computers. Also the Public Libraries are getting such small subsidies, the quality of the books are so old and tatty. I have collected about 3 000 books, a mini library of my own. I love second hand bookshops, jumble sales with books etc. I cannot wait to introduce my 9 year old to all my treasures when she gets older.
November 27th, 2003 at 5:40 am
Awesome work Williamsshamir
Great video.
Much love Kat
November 27th, 2003 at 7:10 pm
A-W-E-S-O-M-E your works is very awesome! cool!!!! very good
November 28th, 2003 at 12:07 am
i use photoshop
November 28th, 2003 at 9:41 am
HOLY CRAP! Comparing this to the original picture, they’re identical!
November 28th, 2003 at 10:09 am
véiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, que difuu
November 28th, 2003 at 9:47 am
I hope this helps you out
Little Old Man Who Could Not Read
I.S. Black
Reinforced Hardcover / Albert Whitman & Co / June 1968 / 0807546216
List Price $12.95 / Similar to Little Old Man Who Could Not Read
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November 28th, 2003 at 8:41 pm
I do agree that technology is lowering literacy but I strongly disagree that it makes reading less important.
The rich people read books and get smarter.
I grew up an avid reader and thanks to that, I do not have time to be bored.
November 28th, 2003 at 9:43 pm
I don't think children necessarily have to read at an early age, but they should be read to as soon as they can focus on a picture book. That's pretty early. Reading to them builds language skills: they hear the sounds used in their native language, they learn to distinguish tone of voice, and it's a nice intimate activity with someone who loves them. They learn to appreciate books and reading. When they get to school, reading doesn't seem like a chore; it's fun.
But I don't think kids should to be pushed to read on their own until they are ready. A few might be ready at age 4 or 5, but most won't really take to it until age 6 or 7. And by the time they are in high school, it won't matter at what age they started. Reading ability does not depend on when you begin.