Why You Should Read To Your Child
Author: Deanna Mascle
Author: Deanna Mascle
As a parent you have many important priorities when it comes to
your child. You need to keep your child safe, healthy, and
loved. In today's hectic world, we often spend so much time
engaged on those priorities we forget another important area --
mental stimulation. As parents we need to engage our children's
minds as well as their bodies in order for them to grow and
learn. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is through
reading.
There are a number of reasons why you should read to your
child. If you are already reading to your child on a daily
basis then these reasons should strengthen your resolve and if
you are regularly reading to your child they should challenge
you to do so:
1. A carefully selected story challenges and engages your
child's mind. Through books your child can not only re-live
experiences in their own life but also learn and experience
cultures and events far removed from their current scope.
2. Reading out loud demonstrates what good reading sounds like
and provides a goal for the child's literacy efforts. As your
child learns to read, he or she will need role models to
follow. Shouldn't you be one of them?
3. Sharing a variety of books improves your child's knowledge
of language including vocabulary, sentence structure, and
pronunciation. The more your child knows about words and
language then the more knowledge and experience she will have
to draw upon while learning to read and the easier it will be
for her to learn.
4. Reading with your child helps the child connect print words
and meaning. Children learn to read many words simply through
repeated exposure. It is not enough to simply provide words and
instead the words must also be placed in context.
5. Reading demonstrates how a book works, such as that we read
a book from front cover to back cover and a page from top to
bottom, and a line from left to right. Those of us with long
experience with books take this knowledge for granted but young
children need to learn these simple rules.
6. A well-written story stimulates your child's imagination and
creativity which can foster their own creative efforts and play.
7. Reading a variety of stories helps children learn how story
structure and narrative works which will help in literacy as
well as social interaction. Human beings use story telling and
narrative in our professional and personal interactions and the
people who have the best grasp of narrative technique are often
the most successful in these areas. Give your child an edge.
8. Making literacy a priority in your life will demonstrate its
importance to your child so they will make it a priority in
theirs. If your child never sees you read then why would they
think it is important?
9. Reading to a child also promotes physical contact as your
child sits on your lap or cuddles beside you. It provides
another opportunity to strengthen your bond with your child.
10. Listening to the human voice can be very soothing and
especially when it is the voice of a loved one. It can help
lower stress levels and bring comfort. Children face many
stresses during the day just as do adults. You might find
taking the time to read to your child not only reduces their
stress level but yours as well.
You should make reading to your child a part of your regular
daily routine but also include spontaneous opportunities as
well. Not only will these moments draw you closer to your child
and provide lasting memories but you are also giving your child
benefits that will impact their entire life.
About The Author: Writer, educator and mother Deanna Mascle
shares more articles and resources at
http://YouCanTeachYourChildToRead.com
your child. You need to keep your child safe, healthy, and
loved. In today's hectic world, we often spend so much time
engaged on those priorities we forget another important area --
mental stimulation. As parents we need to engage our children's
minds as well as their bodies in order for them to grow and
learn. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is through
reading.
There are a number of reasons why you should read to your
child. If you are already reading to your child on a daily
basis then these reasons should strengthen your resolve and if
you are regularly reading to your child they should challenge
you to do so:
1. A carefully selected story challenges and engages your
child's mind. Through books your child can not only re-live
experiences in their own life but also learn and experience
cultures and events far removed from their current scope.
2. Reading out loud demonstrates what good reading sounds like
and provides a goal for the child's literacy efforts. As your
child learns to read, he or she will need role models to
follow. Shouldn't you be one of them?
3. Sharing a variety of books improves your child's knowledge
of language including vocabulary, sentence structure, and
pronunciation. The more your child knows about words and
language then the more knowledge and experience she will have
to draw upon while learning to read and the easier it will be
for her to learn.
4. Reading with your child helps the child connect print words
and meaning. Children learn to read many words simply through
repeated exposure. It is not enough to simply provide words and
instead the words must also be placed in context.
5. Reading demonstrates how a book works, such as that we read
a book from front cover to back cover and a page from top to
bottom, and a line from left to right. Those of us with long
experience with books take this knowledge for granted but young
children need to learn these simple rules.
6. A well-written story stimulates your child's imagination and
creativity which can foster their own creative efforts and play.
7. Reading a variety of stories helps children learn how story
structure and narrative works which will help in literacy as
well as social interaction. Human beings use story telling and
narrative in our professional and personal interactions and the
people who have the best grasp of narrative technique are often
the most successful in these areas. Give your child an edge.
8. Making literacy a priority in your life will demonstrate its
importance to your child so they will make it a priority in
theirs. If your child never sees you read then why would they
think it is important?
9. Reading to a child also promotes physical contact as your
child sits on your lap or cuddles beside you. It provides
another opportunity to strengthen your bond with your child.
10. Listening to the human voice can be very soothing and
especially when it is the voice of a loved one. It can help
lower stress levels and bring comfort. Children face many
stresses during the day just as do adults. You might find
taking the time to read to your child not only reduces their
stress level but yours as well.
You should make reading to your child a part of your regular
daily routine but also include spontaneous opportunities as
well. Not only will these moments draw you closer to your child
and provide lasting memories but you are also giving your child
benefits that will impact their entire life.
About The Author: Writer, educator and mother Deanna Mascle
shares more articles and resources at
http://YouCanTeachYourChildToRead.com
