By Mark Ludwig
There are many obvious and some less obvious benefits to reading to your child. Start early and experience the following:
Closeness with Your Child. Perhaps the most important benefit is the time you will spend together. Sitting on your lap, your child will have a sense of security. Interacting together with the story creates closeness with your child.
Preparedness for School. When we read, think about all the language and vocabulary our children are being exposed to PRIOR to starting kindergarten. The single biggest indicator for academic success in kindergarten is the number of vocabulary words a child enters with. In other words, it is not what they learn during the year, it's what they already know as they start kindergarten. There is a direct correlation between success and vocabulary. The greater the vocabulary, the greater the success.
How should I read to my child? Books should be held so that your child can see the words and the pictures. Point to the story as you read it so your child knows that words are read from left to right. Make your voice interesting and read short, simple sentences. Read nursery rhymes so that your child learns that some words sound the same, that talking has a steady beat, and that words are fun. Change your tone of voice, use low and high pitch, use squeaking sounds, whistles and other mouth noises. Stories with "noises" work especially well like "roar" and "buzz", "meow", etc.
Interact with Your Nursery Decor. Stories that incorporate the room decor work best. This allows you to further interact with the story as the pages come to life on the walls of their room. Involve your child in the reading. Have them point to the characters. If you décor incorporates the books, point to them on the wall as well.
Start Early Reading to Your Child. The U.S. Department of Education recommends beginning to read to your baby when he or she is six months old. According to a 2003 report, "Hearing words over and over helps babies become familiar with them. Reading to your baby is one of the best ways to help he or she learn."
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