“Reading
aloud to children is the single most important intervention for
developing
literacy in children,” – 1985,
National
Commission on Reading
Reading. It promotes language and cognitive
skill
development, not to mention literacy.
But, when a parent reads to a child not only communication is
gained – a
lifelong bond is created.
“When a parent reads to a
child, it
creates an important bond between the reader and the listener,” says
Rochelle
Harris, PhD., clinical psychologist at Children’s
Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. “Parent-to-child reading also promotes reading
literacy and
language development.”
Reading is also important because this gives the
child
the opportunity to hear words that are not routinely spoken.
“When a parent reads to his child, this exposes the child to the
written word,
and thus expands the child’s vocabulary,” says Dr.
Harris.
Children who are read to are also
given the
opportunity to develop their cognitive skills through imagination.
Additionally,
listening to the parent read allows children to become aware of the
different vocal
inflections associated with speaking.
“It is important for parents
to
promote reading,” says Dr. Harris.
“Always
promote individual reading, and read to your child as this will not
only help
develop your child’s literacy, it will also help develop her cognitive
skills
for life.”
