7 great reasons to read with your kids

The reasons for reading with children can make a difference in different aspects and moments of their lives until adulthood. Read the text and see the reasons why you should start reading with your children today!

The habit of reading to our children should be adopted while they are still pregnant. This practice brings many advantages to both parents and children. 

So, the sooner it is encouraged at home, the more benefits it will bring.

In addition to being a gesture of affection, attention and wisdom, Reading to children is a way to teach valuable lessons and strengthen emotional bonds. 

Continue reading this text and see some more great reasons to read with kids. 

1. Helps you understand yourself 

Through stories, children encounter characters who experience conflicts and emotions similar to their own. 

They identify with the challenges faced by the characters and learn to deal with their own feelings. 

Without a doubt, reading offers a way to understand and express emotions in a healthy way. 

A scientific article presented at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte explores the importance of reading in early childhood education. 

He highlights how reading contributes to children's development, affection and understanding of the world. In addition, he emphasizes the pleasure that reading provides. 

A quote credited to Elaine Sekimura says: "Encouraging reading is the most effective way to spread culture and values, stimulate imagination and awaken creativity." 

2. Promotes the development of relational skills 

In the our list of great reasons to read with kids, we could not fail to mention how they are able to better manage their relationships when they have the habit of reading since childhood. 

This is because children's literature presents a variety of social and emotional situations.

So, by following the characters' adventures, children learn about empathy, understanding and respect for others. 

These skills are fundamental to healthy relationships throughout life.

Second Jane Yolen, “Literature is a textually transmitted disease, usually contracted in childhood.”

In addition to having immediate effects, they are also important for shaping the adult of the future. 

+ Learning difficulties: what are the main types

3. Enriches vocabulary and stimulates language

Cecília Meireles once said that if children were exposed to masterpieces from an early age, it is possible that their development would be more perfect. 

Each story is a treasure trove of words and expressions. Reading expands children's linguistic repertoire, making them better able to communicate and express their ideas. 

Furthermore, contact with different literary styles enriches your language skills, skills that are very useful in adult life, especially in a professional environment. 

4. Reasons to read with children: stimulates concentration and attention skills

Sitting down with a book requires focus and concentration. As children engage with narratives, they develop this essential skill for learning and everyday life. 

We live in an era in which our children are increasingly anxious and agitated, and are bombarded with various stimuli and excess information that can be harmful in different aspects.

In fact, this excess of stimuli from screens and information directly affects your attention and contraction.

Can your child spend hours in front of a cell phone screen, watching videos, drawings and other stimuli, but when it comes to doing homework for 5 minutes, he or she can't pay attention and concentrate? 

This is a huge warning sign!

The habit of reading can combat this problem, encouraging our children to read alone and setting aside moments of the day to read together will make all the difference in their routine and consequently, in their life.

5. Prepares you for academic success

When Elo Musk was still in his early teens, he had an existential crisis. 

At that time, he made the best choice of all: he started reading to understand the meaning of life. 

He has already revealed that he reads approximately 60 books per month. Without a doubt, the habit of reading, which appeared in his life when he was still young, was and still is an important tool for the success he has achieved. 

In short, children exposed to reading from an early age have greater ease in literacy and understanding texts. Regular reading contributes to a more solid academic performance.

Invest in your child's academic success now by knowing the excellent reasons to read with children, You know that this step must be taken in childhood. 

+ Professional success: 5 tips to achieve fulfillment!

6. Reasons to read with children: Encourages imagination and creativity 

“When I still didn’t know how to read, I played with books and imagined them full of voices, telling the world.”  

This phrase is also from Cecília Meireles and it reflects very well our sixth reason for reading with children. 

When writing it, I remembered situations in which, even without knowing how to read, my children still read anyway.

The habit of reading is encouraged daily in my home, and I have always given them space from an early age to give voice to the books they are holding in their little hands.

Over time, the stories she told made more and more sense with the illustrations, until she was able to read what was actually written in the book by herself. 

This situation was witnessed with my oldest daughter, who is now 10 years old, and we are experiencing it again with Bê, my youngest son, who is 3 years old. 

The pages of books are portals to fantastic worlds. By imagining scenarios, characters and adventures, children develop their creativity and ability to dream.

7. Strengthens emotional bonds

Reading time is one of our special moments. We have individual reading time, which usually happens in the morning. 

Before going to sleep, we tell each other some stories we've made up and read a book together. 

Without a doubt, the moment when reading is shared is the most special. I can see how it brings us together and they are happy. 

I know that when they grow up, they will have fond memories of these moments and will want to do the same with their children, if they have any. 

Reading together is a special time. Parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers share stories and create lasting memories. 

Without a doubt, these moments of connection are precious and shape the love of reading.

Conclusion

In this text you discovered 7 great reasons to read with kids. 

No matter how busy your routine is, set aside quality time to read with your children, nephews, grandchildren, and friends. 

Reading is certainly a valuable gift we can offer children, enriching their lives and shaping their future.

Start reading with your child today! 

Reading for adults who want to be smarter: 7 books to make you smarter

Nara Sampaio

SEO writer, digital content creator, and virtual assistant. An introvert who found in writing a way to express herself and share knowledge!

March 6, 2024