Parents have known the benefits of reading and therefore want to pass this habit on to their children. So, they introduce their child to books at an early stage, mothers read aloud to their child, and to be a mother, they read to their expanding bundle.

Reading together is not only fun but a good way to spend time with your child. Aside from opening doors of knowledge, increasing vocabulary is a fact known to all. Parents are always advised to read aloud to the child so that he becomes familiar with books at an early stage. In addition to these, what are the benefits of reading aloud to a child.

Here are twelve benefits of reading aloud to your child:

1. Reading together creates a bond

When parents read to their children, they are spending time with them. It makes the child feel important, loved and wanted and therefore helps to create a bond and strengthens it. When parents read to their children, they are showing a child that no matter how busy their schedule is, they always have time for the child. Parents should also take advantage of this time to listen to the child.

2. Increase vocabulary

It is a known fact that reading increases vocabulary. So, when a child is read aloud to her, new words will be introduced to her, thus expanding her vocabulary. This is the time when parents can introduce the child (according to her age) to the dictionary. These days, dictionaries are available for all age groups. Once the child masters the use of the dictionary, she will instantly look up a new word in the dictionary, knowing the correct pronunciation and its use in a sentence.

3. Lifelong interest in reading

Reading aloud to a child will create a lifelong interest in books and anyone who knows them could become a writer too. It is a known fact that people who are interesting in reading are better writers than people who are not. A lifelong interest in reading and books is the best gift any parent can give a child.

4. Reading creates a thinker

Children interested in reading are thinkers. They like to explore everything before accepting any logic or reasoning. Since reading is to the mind what food is to the body, an active mind will always reason, ask questions compared to a child who does not read. Reading improves knowledge and with knowledge comes awareness and with awareness comes the power to ask questions, to reason.

5. Reading develops the ability to listen

When a child is read aloud to him, he develops listening skills. When parents read to a young child, they are preparing him for a school where he will have to listen to the teacher. And when parents read to their older children, they ensure that children become better listeners, which is an essential part of communication. Better listener means better communicator.

6. Reading develops an appreciation for art forms.

Reading picture books helps a child develop an appreciation for art forms as there are illustrations, pictures, and sketches to explain the story.

7. Language and speech development

Reading aloud also helps in language and speech development. When parents read aloud to the child, he or she is exposed to the language and sometimes repeats words that they feel are easier to repeat.

8. Guaranteed academic success

Since the child has been read from an early age, as he grows up, he will always be interested in reading. And reading is an important part of school life. Children who love to read have the advantage of expressing themselves in both written and spoken language and are destined for academic success.

9. Improved attention span

When parents read aloud to their child, they are actually helping their child improve their attention span. How? While reading aloud, a child is paying attention to his parent’s voice and therefore paying attention to each and every word that is said. This activity helps a child improve her attention span, which is helpful when the child starts school.

10. Better understanding of grammar and sentence structure.

By reading aloud to an older child, parents ensure that the child has a better understanding of grammar and correct sentence structure. Older children can be encouraged to create their own stories and share them with parents during reading time.

11. Reading develops curiosity, creativity and imagination

When a child is read aloud to him, he develops curiosity, creativity and imagination. How? When parents read aloud to the child, they are arousing their curiosity about the characters in the story, when parents encourage a child to participate in the story, that is, to give their version of the story, they are also encouraging their creative skills. have imagination

12. Exposure to new situations prepares them for real life

Reading, whether aloud or done on one’s own, exposes the child to situations that he or she may encounter in real life. And since the child has read about the situation in the book or heard about it from her parents, he is better equipped to handle it.

In case you haven’t started reading to your child, now is the time to start.