Why Reading to Your Child Is So Important

Written by Martha Caldwell

Reading aloud to your child is the single most important thing you can do to insure her success is school. Reading aloud introduces her to the patterns of written language and expands her vocabulary considerably. Written English uses more formal grammatical structures than spoken English, and a child whose parents read books aloud to her acquires these patterns earlier in life.  When the time comes for her to learn to read, she will find the task of deciphering words and sentences much easier because her brain has already incorporated the basic vocabulary and structures of written English. 

Since so many other academic skills depend on reading well, learning to read and continuing to read are fundamental to school success.  Jim Trelease, author of The Reading Handbook, says thirty years of research shows that “regardless of sex, race, nationality, or socioeconomic background—students who read the most, read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest.”

Even more importantly, reading is a shared activity that enhances parent/child bonding and brings you into closer relationship with your child.  The two of you enter imaginary worlds together and through the world of books share adventure, entertainment and fun. Talking about books gives you a medium to teach valuable lessons and introduce new ideas to your child. Best of all, your child will love sharing this special time with you, and the pleasurable association she feels with reading will translate into a lifelong love of books.