The Importance of Reading to Children
Children who are read to from their earliest years are more likely to succeed at learning to read themselves--and therefore are more likely to be successful in both school and life.
Reading aloud to children is essential for the development of early literacy skills. These are the skills children need to acquire before they can learn to read. Early literacy skills include
Reading aloud to children is essential for the development of early literacy skills. These are the skills children need to acquire before they can learn to read. Early literacy skills include
|
“Children who fall seriously behind in the growth of critical early reading skills have fewer opportunities to practice reading. Evidence suggests that these lost practice opportunities make it extremely difficult for children who remain poor readers during the first three years of elementary school to ever acquire average levels of reading fluency." 1
Studies indicate that up to 88% of children struggling with reading at the end of first grade are still struggling at the of fourth grade. 2 Because reading is the primary component of learning in almost all other subject areas, difficulty reading leads to academic weakness on a wider scale. Frustration with learning increases students' inclination to act out in classes--and later on in society, as indicated by the following report from Literacy Matters Foundation:
The link between illiteracy and crime is so strong that prison systems predict their future prisoner populations based on 3rd grade reading scores. 4 |
Children's early exposure to books and reading is therefore critical to their academic success and social well-being. It is also critical to their mental and physical health. "In June 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared literacy promotion to be an 'essential component of pediatric care' for all children." 5 Why? Research reveals talking, singing, and reading to/with young children as essential for early brain development. And early brain development affects later health outcomes. 6 Nearly "80 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three, with a key period of development occurring in their language and literacy skills." 7
Pediatricians recommend reading aloud with children, from birth through early school years, for 15 minutes a day. Younger children may not have the ability to pay attention the full 15 minutes, and that is okay. Over time, with continued repetition of this reading time, they will gain the attention span. The important thing is to establish reading as part of a routine. This works to produce all the results named above--and it helps children learn that reading is valuable.
(For more information on how to read with your children, click here.)
(For more information on how to read with your children, click here.)
Sources:
1 “Importance of Reading Aloud.” Reach out and Read, Reach out and Read RI, 2008-2016, https://www.rorri.org/importance-of-reading-aloud/
2 Duursma, E., M. Augustyn, and B. Zuckerman. “Reading Aloud to Children: the Evidence.” Reach out and Read, Reach out and Read RI, 2008, reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ReadingAloudtoChildren_ADC_July2008.pdf
3 “Help Close the Literacy Gap.” Literacy Matters. Literacy Matters Foundation, 2018, https://www.literacymatters.org/
4 “The Cost of Illiteracy.” Literacy Matters. Literacy Matters Foundation, 2018, https://www.literacymatters.org/the-cost-of-illiteracy/
5 “Reach out and Read Rhode Island Mission.” Reach out and Read. Reach out and Read RI, 2018, https://www.rorri.org/about/
6 Samuels, Christina. “Medical Providers Tie Early Literacy to Health Outcomes.” Education Week Spotlight, Editorial Projects in Education, 2018, http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2014/10/medical_providers_tie_early_literacy_ to_health_outcomes.html
7 Garcia, Valerie. “The Problem with Illiteracy and How It Affects All of Us.” Reading Partners, Reading Partners, 2018, https://readingpartners.org/blog/problem-illiteracy-affects-us/
1 “Importance of Reading Aloud.” Reach out and Read, Reach out and Read RI, 2008-2016, https://www.rorri.org/importance-of-reading-aloud/
2 Duursma, E., M. Augustyn, and B. Zuckerman. “Reading Aloud to Children: the Evidence.” Reach out and Read, Reach out and Read RI, 2008, reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ReadingAloudtoChildren_ADC_July2008.pdf
3 “Help Close the Literacy Gap.” Literacy Matters. Literacy Matters Foundation, 2018, https://www.literacymatters.org/
4 “The Cost of Illiteracy.” Literacy Matters. Literacy Matters Foundation, 2018, https://www.literacymatters.org/the-cost-of-illiteracy/
5 “Reach out and Read Rhode Island Mission.” Reach out and Read. Reach out and Read RI, 2018, https://www.rorri.org/about/
6 Samuels, Christina. “Medical Providers Tie Early Literacy to Health Outcomes.” Education Week Spotlight, Editorial Projects in Education, 2018, http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2014/10/medical_providers_tie_early_literacy_ to_health_outcomes.html
7 Garcia, Valerie. “The Problem with Illiteracy and How It Affects All of Us.” Reading Partners, Reading Partners, 2018, https://readingpartners.org/blog/problem-illiteracy-affects-us/