The benefits of reading with your child go beyond just helping them learn to read. Cuddling up with a good book also helps to build their language!
Children learn language by hearing it and those that are read to daily hear about 290,000 more words by the time they enter kindergarten than children who aren’t read to regularly.
Reading exposes children to new words and ways to use language.
It engages their imaginations and expands their world by introducing things and places they may not have experienced before. Reading with your child can develop their: vocabulary, general knowledge, grammar & sentence structure, question skills, emotional intelligence, social skills, and problem-solving skills.
Good children’s literature can nurture a love for reading from an early age. When children are exposed to well-crafted and engaging stories, they develop a positive attitude toward books and reading, which can set the stage for a lifelong love of literature and learning.
So, what makes a book good?
Here are 5 important things that we look for when we’re choosing books to read with our own kids and the kids we work with:
1. Developmentally appropriate content and themes
This ensures that the stories and messages in the book are meaningful to the child and resonate with their cognitive and emotional capabilities.
2. Engaging storytelling
Engaging and imaginative storytelling has the power to transport children to magical worlds where they can experience wonderful adventures. It makes reading joyful and immersive.
3. Colourful and interesting illustrations
When illustrations are vivid and expressive, they complement the story and bring it to life. For younger children, picture books with great illustrations can convey the story visually, facilitating their understanding.
4. Lovely language
Books that use fun language are excellent for building children’s vocabulary and introducing them to new ways of expressing themselves. We love books with rhyme, alliteration, colorful vocabulary, sound effects, and silly words and sentences.
5. Diverse Representation
When books feature characters from different backgrounds and cultures, and with a variety of abilities and identities, they help children to develop an appreciation for diversity. This can foster empathy, understanding, and respect for others.
The Prairie Sprout – Whole Child Development’s Speech-Language Pathology team has many toys and tricks tucked away in our therapy bags. If you have questions or concerns about how your child’s speech and language skills are developing, please reach out for a free consultation. info@prairiesprout.ca
❝ The more that you READ,
the more things you will KNOW,
the more that you LEARN,
the more places you’ll GO ❞
–Dr. Seuss
