Reading with your Mini Geek(s) is not only a great bonding activity, but it also has numerous benefits for their learning and development. Here are some reasons why you should make reading a regular part of your child's routine:
- Enhances Language Skills. Reading aloud to your child helps them develop their language skills. It exposes them to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and ideas that they may not encounter in everyday conversation. (1)
- Stimulates Imagination Books can transport children to different worlds, sparking their imagination and creativity. Encourage your child to visualize the story and characters in their mind as you read together. Arrange trips to your local library and bookshop, your child will have access to thousands of worlds and stories that will help develop their creativity even further!
- Builds a Love for Learning By making reading a fun and enjoyable experience, you can instil a love for learning in your child. They will see reading as a positive activity and be more motivated to explore new books and topics. As well as reading with your child, why not have reading sessions together, if your child sees you reading then they will see it as a positive pastime rather than a necessary one. Perhaps start your own little book club in the family? You can involve all ages and generations, discuss what (family friendly) books you are reading, and this helps to build excellent communication skills as well.
- Improves Concentration Sitting down to read a book requires focus and attention. Regular reading sessions can help improve your child's concentration skills, which can benefit them in other areas of their life, such as schoolwork. Studies have shown that children who read for pleasure are more successful in their studies and developmental factors such as mental health and brain structure (2)
- Strengthens Parent-Child Bond Reading together creates a special bonding experience between you and your child. It provides a time for closeness, conversation, and shared enjoyment that can strengthen your relationship.
Why not make a special time of it, gather your cosy blankets, create ambient lighting, comfy pillows and seating, some snacks, and a drink.
Making reading feel special makes it feel less like a chore.
Further Reading:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/childrens-article/ladybird-early-years-reading-timeline
https://www.worldbookday.com/
References:
(1) https://literacytrust.org.uk/blog/reading-children-so-powerful-so-simple-and-yet-so-misunderstood/
(2) https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/reading-for-pleasure-early-in-childhood-linked-to-better-cognitive-performance-and-mental-wellbeing