It is important to start reading from an early age in order to develop children’s academic ability and sensitivity. By reading age-appropriate picture books and talking about the content of books with parents and children, children will become familiar with books little by little and will naturally become a lover of reading [1]. Below are some benefits of reading with your children:
- Reading picture books to young children enriches their imagination and emotions
When reading to a toddler, the voice of the parent relaxes the child and gives them a sense of security. Parents and children reading books together increase the sense of intimacy between parents and children, and children can also feel the warmth and smell of their skin [2]. It is effective to make time to read a book even for a short time before going to bed at night.
- Make reading aloud a habit when you become interested in picture books
It was found that reading picture books to children enhances their imagination and makes their expressions richer, which is a great advantage. Even if young children cannot read the letters yet, they will be able to understand the contents by repeating the reading.
- It is important that adults also enjoy reading aloud together
The trick to reading books to toddlers is to have adults enjoy them too. If you’re desperate for education or reading reluctantly, your child won’t be able to enjoy it.
- Increased communication skills
A survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology found that children who read a lot have higher communication and manner skills. Communication skills and manner skills are the ability to choose words considering the feelings of the other person and to act according to the atmosphere of the place [3].
- The brain is activated
When people read, it is said that the entire brain, centered on the “prefrontal cortex,” is actively activated. Through reading, the brain performs multiple processes such as “understanding the meaning by looking at the text, and listening to it again to understand the text again.”
- Increased self-esteem
Reading and storytelling in early childhood will also increase self-esteem. Self-esteem is the feeling of knowing yourself. When you have high self-esteem, you’re less likely to worry too much about your shortcomings [4].
- Improve reading comprehension and vocabulary
Improving reading comprehension and vocabulary is one of the effects of reading and storytelling. When reading a book, you often come across words that you don’t normally use. If you carefully look up the meanings of newly learned words, you will naturally improve your vocabulary.
- Learn language quickly
In the beginning, the children themselves don’t know all the words, but they will learn the words through the careful teaching of their parents.
- Take time to communicate with parents
When a child is reading a picture book, it becomes a momentary time to be with their parents. It is a pleasure for children to be able to share the world view of picture books with their parents, and it can give them a sense of security.
- Increase concentration
Usually, when a child is reading a picture book, they do it intently until the end of the book. This help them to increase the ability of concentration.
Conclusion:
Parents themselves can also read and make time to talk with their children about what kind of books they are reading right now, and that will also trigger their children’s interest in books. Parents can help children feel the joy of reading by going to bookstores with their children to look for books, and setting aside time to read together.
References
| [1] | C. bureau, “The importance of reading to your children,” [Online]. Available: https://www.all4kids.org/news/blog/https://www.all4kids.org/news/blog/the-importance-of-reading-to-your-children/the-importance-of-reading-to-your-children/. |
| [2] | “Why is Reading so Important for Children?,” Hub, [Online]. Available: https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/why-is-reading-important-for-children/. |
| [3] | “Reading to Children: Why It’s So Important and How to Start,” [Online]. Available: https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/reading-to-children. |
| [4] | “Social and Educational Benefits of Reading to Children,” In the book, [Online]. Available: https://www.inthebook.com/en-us/blog/benefits-of-reading-to-children/. |