Many parents may not realize that even before their child can understand words, babies need to be read to. If you get on a good regimen of reading to your child every day before nap time and even at night before bed, this will quickly become their favorite time of the day. When your baby turns six months, words will be understood by them when they’re spoken. As your child gets older, story time will become way more interactive and they may want to read their favorite books, requesting multiple readings, never wanting it to end. After your child understands that reading is fun, and they can learn from it, you’ll have an avid reader on your hands.
What does reading do?
Books teach children about life. Even though your child may be small, they’ll still benefit from getting read books about different challenges in life. Whether your child is learning how to be potty trained, or different fears they may encounter, reading about these help your child cover these subjects in ways to help them understand.
Books get children prepared for school. You may be thinking that school is a ways away, but in reality school isn’t that far away. In kindergarten, kids are expected to read on a rudimentary level, and kids that are introduced to reading early tend to real earlier.
Books help strengthen literary skills. As you read to your child, their foundation is being set for early learning and mastering little things like their ABC’s. Your child will slowly start to learn that the marks on the page represent both letters and words.
Books encourage vocabulary words. When you read to your child their vocabulary will blossom because it reinforces their understanding of new words. Your child will have a chance to listen to new words they may not encounter on an every day basis.
How you can help them even more?
It’s recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to read from as early as infancy, up until your child can read by themselves. This will prepare your child for lifelong success, and will ensure your child to have better language skills when they begin to talk. Don’t forget to point out the different objects, colors and sizes in the book you’re reading to them.