Reading to Kids Helps Their Development

Research shows that reading regularly to young children is very important to their overall growth and development.

The benefits of reading include the following:

• Provides time for special attention between parents and children

• Encourages children's later reading success

• Improves language and speech development

Pick what you both enjoy

• Look for books you both love.

• Ask friends, teachers, or librarians.

• Look for award-winning books.

• Check book reviews.

• Have your children pick out their own books.

Get your child involved

• Point out objects in the pictures as you read.

• Look for activity books that let your child participate.

• Have your child help turn the pages.

Follow along

• As you read, point to the words with your finger so your child learns that the words go from left to right.

Read slowly

• Slowing down the pace will let your child keep up with the ideas in the story.

Help them learn

• Look for repetition or rhymes in the stories.