Why is being able to read so important? Counter question:
What would your world look like if street signs, menus and newspapers were made up of indefinable hieroglyphics?
You simply wouldn't be able to find your way around. Not to mention all the other information that we convey and receive every day with letters.
Reading makes you independent, it is an essential component for participation in society.
A big step towards reading for yourself is reading aloud.
Reading aloud makes children smart
Reading aloud encourages children to read for themselves. However, this is by no means the only positive effect that well-read stories have on your child.
Read aloud...
- promotes the ability to concentrate.
- expands the use of language.
- increases educational success.
- helps the children, to solve problems and talk about concerns.
Children who are read to grow into little bookworms who learn to grasp complex structures early on. And of course, reading aloud broadens their horizons – even toddlers learn more about their environment through books.
Books have another wonderful side effect: They stimulate imagination and encourage creativity. Your child immerses themselves in different worlds and thereby trains their imagination.
It emotionally connects with the characters, which expands their empathy, a skill that is also considered a key competency for a successful career.
If it gets too exciting, take a short break and talk about what you have read. Use the story as a conversation starter to work through various topics with your child.
Reading aloud is a first encounter with literature
Children who do not come into contact with books cannot learn to love literature. Even in the crawling stage, simple fabric picture books shape the child before they are later replaced by books with cardboard or paper pages. Thus, reading aloud builds the bridge to literature early on. The sooner you start, the more successfully you foster your child's reading skills.
Reading aloud as a ritual
Boys are often considered reluctant readers. According to the PISA study, they actually achieve weaker results in reading skills compared to girls of the same age. However, gender should not play a role in reading aloud.
If you make shared reading times a daily ritual from an early age, your child will be a grateful listener. Retreat to a cozy spot, make yourselves comfortable, and enjoy each other's company. Regular reading aloud strengthens the bond between parents and children and helps to unwind. Even small sessions of 15 minutes are enough to achieve significant results.
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