Everyone is always talking about the importance of reading. On the surface, the importance of reading books is obvious because reading is beneficial to a child’s development. But it’s more than that, as you’ll see here:
Why is Reading Important? 15 Important Reasons To Start Reading Today
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Reading develops and enhances language skills
As you read to your child, they are able to hear and identify sounds. When your child is a little older and is able to recognize letters, they’ll be able to connect the letters with the sounds they hear you speak.
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Reading develops little brains in a way that it otherwise may not
The brain is a muscle that also needs exercise – reading is an excellent exercise. The more children read, the better they get at it. When children are introduced to reading at a young age, they usually continue to read as they get older. When that happens, they’re less obsessed with video games, tv, and the internet. It has been proven time and time again that excessive screen time is detrimental to a child’s development.
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Reading leads to an earlier mastery of language
As they are read to from an early age, children grasp the fundamentals of language, which is important as they approach school age.
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When children are being read to, they develop listening skills
By simply reading to your children, their listening skills are enhanced because reading helps us focus on what someone else is communicating. Initially, your toddler may squirm and be unable to focus, but be patient because eventually, they’ll be able to sit down for the duration of the story.
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Reading is essential to your child’s success in school and life
Many studies have shown that children who are exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well in school. If your little one develops a love of reading, learning will become easier.
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Reading broadens our horizons
When children read, they are introduced to concepts, characters, relationships, and new worlds that go far beyond their everyday experiences. Therefore, reading to your children enriches their lives. Their broader worldview also encourages curiosity and an inquiring mind.
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Reading to your child will develop a stronger relationship with you
This can be an important nurturing activity that can bring you closer together.
When people are asking why is reading important, this benefit is often overlooked.
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Reading prepares an important foundation for other life skills
When people ask why is it important to read, it may be because they don’t realize that learning to read is a sequential process. This means that each new skill builds on a previously learned skill. Children start with letter recognition, which leads to words, sentences, paragraphs, and ultimately books. The ability to build on previously learned skills is essential to school and life success.
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Reading improves hand-eye coordination for little ones
If your child is reading a book or a child-friendly magazine, they are moving the pages backward and forwards. The same applies to reading an ebook or scrolling through a child-friendly website. The simple act of moving pages or clicking the mouse improves gross motor skills.
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Digital reading develops computer skills
By reading an ebook or from a computer, they are learning valuable computer skills that are essential in school and life.
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Reading develops logical thinking skills
When children read, they develop the ability to grasp abstract concepts, recognize cause and effect, apply logic in various scenarios, and use good judgment. That’s because they relate to what is happening in the books, with what is happening in their own worlds.
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Reading provides good, clean fun and entertainment
Sure, child-friendly tv is also good, clean and fun, but different parts of the brain are at work when we’re just watching tv. When our children read, they can free up their imagination and open a brand new and exciting world. Using their imagination involves thinking. When they’re watching tv, they’re not thinking, they’re being entertained.
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Reading offers better communication skills
Reading offers better communication skillsYour child witnesses the interactions between the characters in the books you read to them. They figure out cause and effect and they learn the best ways that they themselves should communicate.
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Reading helps ease anxieties
New or stressful experiences may be hard to deal with, but books can be very helpful during transitions. For example, if you are expecting a new baby, a book about a new baby may be perfect for helping your child deal with his/her anxiety. Good books help overcome children’s worries by introducing them to characters and situations they can relate to, who have similar anxieties, and who find ways to deal with them.
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Reading enhances concentration, memory retention, analytical skills, and comprehension
Because reading normally takes a while, children have to develop a longer attention span and better memory retention. This is a superb skill for success in school.
There you have it – 15 compelling reasons why reading is important.
If you are pregnant, you could build your child’s library by having a “bring a book instead of a card” baby shower! It’s a magnificent way to collect books quickly. Otherwise, excellent children’s books are available from Amazon and local stores for relatively cheap. If you’re on a budget, you can get books for free at your library or online from places like free children stories, storyjumper, and magickeys.
Also, check out our collection of free educational printables and coloring pages for kids!
