The Importance of Reading to Your Child 

Your child’s reading skills are very important to their success in school, work and life in general.  By reading to your child from a very young age, you can help to ensure success.  Reading helps introduce your child to a world of creativity and imagination while also helping them to develop a skill that they will use for the rest of their life.  It also fosters the love of an activity that also enhances their development.   

Reading together even in infancy, with the use of books containing high contrast images, or touch-and-feel books, helps a child’s visual and brain development.  Hearing your voice can not only be soothing and provide a sense of security, but it can also help the brain form meaningful connections.    

Continuing to read throughout childhood stimulates development of language skills.  Children learn to enunciate and learn sounds that form language.  Eventually they will learn to sound out words on their own.  The written language used in books could include words that they may not hear in everyday conversation, which in turn helps to develop a broader vocabulary.   

Reading together also allows children to learn different ways to express themselves.  Pages in a book can build connections with the world around them by using their personal experiences to build an association with what they are reading in books.   

Starting young helps build a solid foundation for learning and emotional development.   

Here are some ways to make reading fun: 

• Change the Reading Environment: Make reading an adventure by changing locations.  Read outside, in a fort, or under a sheet with a flashlight.   

• Let Them Choose: Allow kids to pick their own books.  Whether it’s comics, magazines, or a novel, what matters is that they are excited about it. 

• Use Technology:  There are many interactive e-books and reading apps that can make reading more dynamic and engaging.  

• Interactive Reading:  Use different voices for characters and add drama to the narration to bring the story to life. 

• Read Aloud Together: Share the reading by taking turns to read aloud.  This can help with bonding and makes reading a shared activity. 

• Incorporate Activities: Bake a recipe from a story or plan a field trip related to a book’s theme.  This helps to extend the experience beyond the pages. 

• Start a Tradition: Have a special reading time or day, like Sunday comics, which can become a cherished routine.  

• Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Designate a special place in your home where kids can curl up with a good book.  

• Try Audiobooks:  Using audiobooks allows your child to experience different voices and ways that a book can be read.   

• Sign Up for a Library Card:  Use this activity as a symbol of being more grown up.   

• Act Out the Story 

• Read Books that Relate to Upcoming Experiences: Pick books that go with experiences such as traveling or activities that will happen at home or in school.  Making connections between books and real life will make your child feel like reading is more integrated into their life.   

• Start a Series 

• Get or Make Fun Bookmarks 

• Watch the Movie After Reading the Book 

• Use Books as Rewards 

• Attend Storytime at Libraries and Bookstores 

• Keep Books In Sight  

• Read and Talk About Books in Front of Your Child 

Our Speech Therapy team promotes reading at Life Skills Academy.  They are often found in a classroom reading to a group of students or sitting one on one with a child who may need a little extra help.  If your have any questions regarding your child’s therapy or would like more information on our Therapy Program here at the school, please TEXT 863-774-7714.