The ability to read is one of the most fundamental skills that a child should acquire in their lifetime. Literacy abilities are critical to success because we live in an era in which literacy is valued more highly. Reading is a skill that may be taught in many ways. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning to read, especially for children with learning disabilities or learning challenges. Reading grows and stimulates a child’s brain, improving children’s vocabulary and comprehension. More importantly, reading increases children’s empathy, confidence, and imagination.
Impacts of Reading on the Personal and Academic Development of a Child
Reading is a fundamental skill of learning. Children benefit academically when they develop the habit of reading. Educators and reading experts studied the impacts of reading on education and the child’s holistic development.
1. Reading improves one’s self-esteem.
Fluency in the English language for second language learners is enhanced by regular reading. Reading is a passive method of teaching phonological awareness. The ability to read well gives the child self-assurance in various situations.
2. Reading is an excellent way to get youngsters to interact with one another.
The more people read, the more possibilities they can see. Reading gives a child the opportunity to weigh in on the good and bad of a character’s point of view. In this way, they can better recognize the impact of their actions on others. That’s something that can’t be accomplished by watching television or playing video games. When children experience the characters’ emotions in a story, they develop more empathy for those characters. Reading can help students learn how to act in certain situations. They are sensitive to the emotions of the other.
3. Creative and imaginative thinking are fostered through reading.
Our children’s imaginations and natural creativity should be nurtured. This allows them to perform challenging tasks. It can help promote critical thinking through overcoming conflict, problems, and the generation of new ideas. The famous Albert Einstein once said that a person’s imagination is more powerful than knowledge. And this side of our brain is stimulated by reading.
4. Reading to a child is an excellent way for parents and children to connect.
A child’s emotional development depends heavily on one’s relationships with parents. A child’s most challenging growth years are easier to navigate when they have a strong bond with their parents. Reading books aloud to a child develops a sense of belonging from an early age.
5. Reading helps children realize their full potential.
Reading is beneficial to a child’s education. It’s an essential skill for a child to learn and should be taught as soon as possible. When your child reads, they will be able to build self-esteem, creativity, imagination, and interpersonal skills. You may help your child learn to read by reading aloud to them regularly.
6. Increased linguistic proficiency.
Daily reading to infants and toddlers can improve their language, communication, social, and literacy skills. Experts believe that reading aloud to children at an early age substantially correlates to brain activation in areas associated with visual imagery and language comprehension.
Another advantage of including reading in your child’s auditory learning is that it introduces the language of books, which differs from the language you hear every day. This holds true whether the book is intended for youngsters or a classic one. Descriptive and formal writing styles are common in books.
7. Prepares the child to do well in school.
Children’s educational achievement depends on expanding their vocabulary and improving their listening abilities through exposure to new words and stories. When children enter kindergarten with solid language skills and great vocabulary, researchers have found that they are better prepared to read. The more proficient they become readers, the higher their chances of graduating from high school (PBS.org). Research shows that children introduced to reading before preschool are more likely to perform well in school.
8. Improved focus and self-control.
Adding regular reading time to your child’s routine provides other benefits besides having a shared moment with your child; it enhances discipline and attention span. It can be difficult to encourage young children to concentrate and sit still for long periods. Your children’s conduct may change if you make reading a regular part of their routine. If your child is young enough, they may wiggle and fidget at first, but with practice, they will learn to sit still and pay attention to the story’s duration. According to EarlyMoments.com, “a stronger self-discipline, longer attention span, and improved memory retention” benefits reading comprehension.
9. Cultivates lifelong love for reading.
Every time we read to a child, we transmit a ‘joy’ message to the brain, says Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. This link between reading and “pleasure” is key to later success. If you instill a love of reading at a young age, lifelong learning will follow.
Simple Tips on How to Develop Good Reading Habits
1. Start with the basics.
First-step reading involves oral proficiency, not printed letters. It teaches phonological awareness, or how to identify and manipulate word sounds. David A. Kilpatrick, a professor of psychology and an author, says that this is the most common reason kids with dyslexia, a learning disorder, have trouble reading.
2. Focus on phonics.
Learning the alphabet song with a book or video helps kids recall letters in their names by kindergarten. When your child starts attending school, ask the teacher which letter/sound combos have been taught so you can help at home.
3. Build vocabulary and general knowledge.
Hackett-Helmkay argues a child’s vocabulary predicts academic performance. Without oral language comprehension, such as vocabulary, you won’t grasp what you read. Start by narrating your day to your infant. As they grow older, answer their questions to increase their language and knowledge base.
4. Read to your child.
Bedtime stories teach your youngster how to hold a book, turn the pages, and aid vocabulary development. Continue reading aloud to older kids by choosing a chapter book they can’t read. You want your child to build positive reading associations, which can help them learn to read independently, especially if they’re struggling.
5. Start early, and read often.
Baby reading builds ties, language, and habits. Your child will lead the way if reading a story is part of the nighttime routine from infancy or toddlerhood.
6. Read the pictures.
Illustrations help kids learn linguistic and emotional skills. “Picture walk” through a book’s pages before reading. Predict based on characters and setting; while reading, look at characters’ body language and ask, “How’s she feeling?”
7. Press the pause button.
Some evenings, it’s tempting to speed-read before bed. Occasionally wait before turning pages. Look at a picture, ask a question, or discuss. Help the child build reading-world connections.
Generally, all parents want their children to prosper and learn; to do this, they need to encourage children to read for them to succeed. The first six years of a child’s life are when they learn the most, so it’s essential to take advantage of them. Early language skills can help children too young to read become more literate.
Children with more excellent language and literacy abilities receive higher grades in reading, writing, etc. This success boosts children’s confidence, which helps them socially. Confident children can approach their classmates, and their verbal skills allow them to explain themselves clearly.
Furthermore, literature encourages youngsters to explore and learn through curiosity. Curiosity sparks imagination and creativity in young children, which helps them succeed. Everyone, especially parents, must help kids improve their language and reading abilities. Helping children at this vital time will lead to a successful school career, a successful life, and a better world.