Reading can open up endless possibilities for children and adults alike. Books allow our imaginations to run wild. They teach us to let go of reality and be transported into new worlds, get wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of fictional characters, and learn about cultures and experiences entirely different from our own.
Reading is an incredible tool that teachers and parents can use to aid a child’s development from the very beginning. Little Acorns Day Nursery is committed to ensuring your little one’s development is an enriching and enjoyable experience for everyone. In this blog, we explain the benefits of reading to and with children, so they can learn to love reading at home as well as at nursery.
What are the benefits of reading to children?
Reading can boost your child’s development in a myriad of ways, regardless of how old they are. Let’s take a closer look at some benefits of reading to or with your child.
Bonding
Story time provides a great opportunity for you and your little one to connect. Research suggests that children feel secure when they are being read to – a positive feeling they might come to associate not only with books but with you too.
Having a positive attitude towards reading will likely instill a similar attitude in your child, which will benefit them in countless ways in future. If you love books and your child develops a love of reading that persists into adulthood, it could even become a shared interest and connection that lasts a lifetime!
Listening skills
Reading to your child requires them to pay attention to what you’re saying. As they grow up, this skill will evolve into listening skills that they can transfer into all aspects of their life. Being a good listener is invaluable, both in childhood and adulthood.
Vocabulary
Reading from a young age boosts the number, variety, and difficulty of words and phrases they use. This is partly because books often contain words they may not hear in everyday conversation. Children’s books are also geared towards education and development, even if they seem fun – they cover a variety of topics, from animals and nature to food and travel, and therefore use a wide range of vocabulary.
Research has shown that children who are regularly read to in the first five years of life will hear around 1.4 million more words in that time than children who are never read to – the figures speak for themselves!
Social and emotional development
Books are an accessible, age-appropriate way to educate children about both everyday situations and more significant life events. By making them aware of what happens in various situations and showing them typical responses, books can help children feel less scared or alone when they’re faced with something new, such as going to the dentist.
Similarly, books can help teach your child how to cope with stressful experiences and prepare them for social or emotional situations. These could include making friends, starting a new school, or even losing a loved one.
At Little Acorn Day Nursery, we offer professional care for babies, toddlers and preschool children in the Southampton area. Our team aims to make nursery a fun, nurturing environment for your child and is committed to making their development as enriching and enjoyable as possible. Get in touch with us today to find out more.