Reading for kids: The benefits of reading

There's nothing like a good book to take you to magical places, away from the daily hustle and bustle. It's so relaxing to cozy up, get under a blanket, and crack open a good book. No wonder so many of us like to read before bed...it's a perfect way to wind down after a busy day. Reading books together isn't just something fun to do...the benefits of reading for children are almost too many to list!

Why reading is important for kids

Reading opens up a whole new world where kids learn, imagine, get creative, and expand their knowledge. Little ones are naturally curious, and feeding this curiosity will help them become the best versions of themselves.

Both reading aloud to kids and the process of learning to read have many benefits. Books expand children's vocabulary and they're a great way to teach them about different topics, concepts, and cultures around the globe. Children's development areas are interrelated, which means that acquiring reading skills will in turn boost their overall cognitive development.

When do kids start reading?

Each child develops at their own pace, and it's the same with reading skills. Some start reading earlier than others. It's possible to draw a general timeline with milestones leading up to mastering reading skills. However, the time it takes to become comfortable with each skill depends on the child's individual developmental pace.

Before little ones can read, they first have to acquire some basic skills. The development of these skills begins when they're infants. Before they turn one, babies generally learn that sounds and gestures are used to communicate something. They learn the basics of communication, react when spoken to, and generally can direct their attention to an object or a person speaking. When they are read to, they respond by making sounds or interacting with the books and their pictures.

By the time they are three, kids can name their favorite books and identify the ones they like by the picture on the cover. You may notice your little one picking up a book and pretending to read, making up their own story along the way. Not only is this super cute to watch, but this step is also an important one, too! This indicates that your child can identify the named object. If they know a book really well, they may even finish your sentences when reading aloud.

Around the age of four, your kiddo may retell a familiar story or a story that has been read to them. They may start recognizing letters, write their own name, or notice rhyming words. It's around this time that they understand writing is different from drawing a picture. At preschool age, kids gain knowledge about sounds, syllables, letters, and words.

In kindergarten, kids usually start matching some spoken and written words and recognize familiar words in writing. They may also predict what will happen in a story, understanding the plot. In a story, they may be able to identify certain details like the main character, the location, or the event that's taking place. When asked, they can put the story's events in sequence.

Since they've had practice over the years identifying and learning sounds and words, kids can read familiar stories around the age of six or seven. When they face a word they aren't familiar with, they can often sound it out. It is also around this time that they can look at the drawings and understand the story. Sounding out words, understanding, and reading sentences can be considered reading.

How to improve kids' reading skills

Kids are curious and feeding their curiosity will result in significant developmental improvements. That's why it's important to support your little one's reading, and here are a few ways parents can help.

Visit the library

Having lots of books around at home is great, but providing your kid with great books to read doesn't have to break the bank! Libraries are amazing resources for you to browse through the shelves and let your kiddo take the lead with the selection process. Some libraries offer spaces where you can sit down and read along with other people, which will give your kid a chance to meet some book buddies their own age. They can recommend books to one another and expand their interests.

Offer lots of choices

Until your kiddo decides on what they'd like to read, try to include lots of books covering different topics. You don't have to rely only on books. Maybe your kiddo would like to read the comics in the newspaper or an article about new toys in a magazine. Offering lots to choose from will give your little one a chance to develop the ability to self-select what they would like to read.

Set a good example

Kids learn by observing those around them. They frequently imitate their parents and caregivers...monkey see, monkey do! So, if they see you pick up a book regularly, they may do the same. Try to include them in the conversation, too. Talk to them about what you've read recently, the characters in the book, or an overview of the plot.

Organize read-a-thons

Setting aside time to read together will give you an opportunity to bond with your kiddo and boost their reading skills. When you read to your child, you can choose something that is more advanced than their current skill level to help them learn new words. When they read to you, it's an opportunity to help them learn from mistakes and work through challenging words together. You can discuss the stories you're sharing by asking your kiddo to summarize what they have read. This will give you an idea of what skill level they're at with their reading and comprehension.