Eights benefits of reading with your child
JOBURG – Did you know that it is more likely for a child to learn a second language if it is spoken and used by their parents?
The benefits of reading to your child are limitless.
This is according to Raquel Edward of personalised book specialists In The Book.
“Developing their social skills, sparking their imagination and forming the foundations of their learning abilities are [the] core benefits of reading to children,” said Edwards.
She shared the following eight benefits of reading to your children:
- Better communication skills
The best children’s books that your child will remember are those with narratives that they can relate to in some way.
“As most children’s stories aim to explore multiple environments such as home life, school, day-to-day experience or fantastical worlds, children are in turn exposed to various characters,” she said.
Helping your young one find similarities, or explaining the differences to them, while reading the book will help them relate to others in a healthy way.
- Basic speech skills
According to Edwards, it is more likely for a child to learn a second language if it is spoken and used by their parents.
- Enhanced concentration and discipline
“Kids may initially fidget and become distracted during story time, but eventually they’ll learn to settle for the duration of the story.”
- Cultural understandings
Books not only provide a world where children can lose themselves in, but it provides a place where they can go to learn about an array of cultures and customs, develop social skills and help them implement positive changes in the world around them.
- Higher academic performance
“One of the single, most beneficial advantages of reading to your child is that your child will develop a higher competency for learning in multiple environments,” said Edwards.
- Nurturing the parent-child bond
“Cuddling up with a storybook at bedtime or a set time in the day provides routine and stability, essential for children as they learn best through gentle repetition.
“This is where reading becomes a nurturing activity between the parent and child, instead of a task or chore.”
- Conquering the fear of the classroom
Reading at home with your child can give them the advantage of reading out loud in a classroom as they will already be prepared.
“The repeated act of reading every day reinforces their reading ability, building their confidence and allows your child to feel comfortable when reading out loud in the classroom,” said Edwards.
- Enhanced development of senses
She noted that the physicality of a book can be both fascinating and memorising for children, as having tangible materials allows them to physically interact with the book.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/295271/help-your-child-develop-a-love-of-reading/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/286717/the-importance-of-reading-to-your-baby/
