The Importance of Reading
Reading is a crucial skill for children to acquire and one associated with academic success. Research shows that students, who read more, perform better in school and score higher on achievement tests. Students who do better in school, stay in school, and ultimately are more successful in the marketplace. The practice of parents reading to children has been described as significant in helping children develop a love for reading (Wilson, 2016). Here are ten reasons to read aloud to your children.
Ten Reasons to Read to Your Children
#1. Reading aloud communicates to your children, that you value and enjoy reading.
You have tremendous influence in your children’s lives. They look to you for what is valuable and appropriate. If you engage in the reading process, they are more likely to be readers.
#2. Reading aloud builds vocabulary.
The vocabulary level of students entering Kindergarten is a predictor of reading ability and general knowledge. Vocabulary is acquired through listening and reading. It is demonstrated in speaking, reading, and writing. Studies have shown that a child’s vocabulary can be increased by 15-40 percent when read to regularly by parents (Trelease, 2013). It is difficult to understand words that have never been encountered. Reading and engaging children in conversation are two ways parents and teachers can increase a child’s vocabulary. Listening to a book being read, children learn new sounds and learn the meaning of new words that are introduced in the context of story. When reading together, parents are able to determine whether their child understands the meaning of what is read. This vocabulary development helps to build background knowledge to be used in the future and increases reading comprehension.
#3. Reading aloud helps to build background knowledge.
Background knowledge is knowledge children already possess. It provides a foundation for building upon when children encounter a concept, skill, event, or activity. Background knowledge is crucial for a child to have the ability to layer new ideas or add information to what they already know. For example, a child who has been to Washington D.C. will have experience and knowledge to apply to a classroom lesson on the US Capitol or the White House. Children’s general knowledge base gained through reading, serves them well when learning new information. In his book, The Read-Aloud Handbook, Trelease shares the importance of reading to build background knowledge ( p. 13).
Background knowledge is one reason children who read the most bring the largest amount of information to the table and thus understand more of what the teacher or the textbook is teaching. Children whose families take them to museums and zoos, who visit historic sites, who travel abroad, or who camp in remote areas accumulate huge chunks of background knowledge without even studying. For the impoverished child lacking the travel portfolio of affluence, the best way to accumulate background knowledge is by either reading or being read to.
#4. Reading aloud helps to develop creativity and imagination.
Rather than concentrating on decoding words, when children listen to a story, they are able to imagine and create their own images in their mind.
#5. Reading aloud helps to develop listening skills.
Most children are not auditory learners and yet most instruction is presented orally. Reading aloud sharpens their listening skills and their ability to identify keys points in an oral presentation.
#6. Reading aloud increases reading fluency.
As children are listening to the rhyme, cadence, and expression of a story, they are learning how to read with fluency. This important skill requires listening and modeling, and is lost in silent reading. Fluency helps with word recognition which in turns helps with comprehension.
#7. Reading aloud increases a framework of knowledge.
Once a base of knowledge is established (background knowledge), the knowledge that you add, builds a framework for making connections to new information and broadens the scope of understanding. This is where children begin to think critically by making comparisons, predictions, and judgments based on prior knowledge.
#8. Reading aloud creates a special bond with the parents.
Setting time aside to read to your children, communicates your enjoyment of reading, your interest in their enjoyment of reading, and the importance of spending time together.
#9. Reading aloud creates an opportunity to share your worldview.
This is a compelling reason to read with your children. You can be sure that your children are exposed to ideas of thought that are contrary to the values you would like to teach them. Reading together gives you a chance to discuss the ideas and characters of a story, in light of your beliefs and worldview.
#10. Reading aloud helps you identify good authors.
If the attitude of the characters, the language, the worldview, and the story line are important to you, reading aloud is an opportunity to assess the author’s writing style and use of these elements. This may help you in making decisions for the books your children read.
Get Started
Start young or start now.
It is literally never too early to begin reading aloud to your children. Most children under the age of five will be eager to snuggle up with mom and dad to read a book. If reading aloud has not been a family practice and your children are reluctant listeners, begin by reading to them when you have their undivided attention. A long car ride with either the mother or father reading aloud, or listening to a book on CD might be a distraction free opportunity that can capture their interest in good literature.
Use the library.
Reading regularly to younger children will require a large number of books on your shelf. Unless you have unlimited funds for purchasing books, make a weekly trip to the library to load up.
Keep in mind that not all books are created equal. It is wise to read through a book or at least skim the content before diving into it. Also keep in mind that it is okay to skip over words and retell passages that you feel are not appropriate for your children because of age, language or mature content.
Set aside time to read to your children.
Preschool moms might schedule a reading time in the morning, afternoon, before nap, and before bed. When reading to school age children be sure to allow time for discussion of the characters, plot, and setting.
Choosing the Right Books
Books create opportunity for developing values, beliefs, and character traits. For this reason, it is important to choose books in keeping with your worldview. Choose good read aloud books- ones that are engaging, without excessive dialogue. Refer to my short list of read aloud books.
Maybe you have seen the benefits of reading to your children and would like to encourage others. Or perhaps you have experienced another benefit to family read aloud time. Please share it with us below.
Resources
Trelease, J. (2013). The read-aloud handbook. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Wilson, K. (2016). A phenomenological study of parenting practices perceived to have fostered academic success by graduates of masters and doctoral programs. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/openview/545d2f29be37765f37e63bfb2552f01e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y. (10120369).