It’s often said that reading to toddlers is important. Have you ever wondered exactly why? Babies and toddlers can’t yet understand the words we’re saying, and certainly, they don’t understand any sort of concept, or story line, so is it really as important as ‘everyone’ says? Let’s find out.
Reading to a child is a one-on-one activity that you can make a tradition and special time with your baby or toddler. In this way reading helps children develop strong, trusting relationships and helps them bond to family members.
Reading to children enhances their information about the world, vocabulary and language structure, numbers and math concepts, colors, animals, shapes, manners and more.
Reading with a small child shows them that reading is fun, not a chore to be endured. This will foster a love of reading that can last a lifetime, and help in the school years yet to come.
We often get tired of reading the same book over and over again. However, repetitive reading offers surprising benefits. It increases comprehension, builds confidence, enhances word and vocabulary recognition, and develops pattern, rhythm, and fluency.
So read to your small children and instill a love of reading that will serve them well for their entire lifetime.