Summer Reading Club

With the sudden baby boom Igiugig has experienced, I decided to write about the importance of reading to your child (although it applies to any age!).

When should parents start reading to their children? The answer is, NOW. Parents should read to their newborn(s) as soon as possible.

Although newborns do not understand what you are saying, they can pick up the rhythm, tones, and inflections of your voice and already begin building their own speech patterns.

Amazingly, by the time babies reach their first birthday, they will have learned all the sounds needed to speak their native language (1). Research has proven that the more words a baby is exposed to, the better prepared they will be to start reading on their own. (2) (Kenneth Wible, MD, of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City).

Reading boosts brainpower in your child. Children who were read to as newborns usually have a larger vocabulary, as well as more advanced mathematical skills, than other kids their age who were not read to as frequently. One study found that babies scored a lot higher on standardized tests when they reached age 3 compared to children whose parents weren’t as verbal (2). The more you read aloud, the more words your child will be exposed to.

While reading, your baby hears you using many different emotions and expressive sounds, whether it’s doing a voice for a specific character or describing what’s going on in the book. This fosters social and emotional development. They quickly start learning that spoken words have meaning and certain sounds mean certain things. The same effect does not happen from watching/listening to the TV. (2)

Most importantly, reading aloud to your child builds a connection between the things your baby loves the most –your voice and the closeness to you. Reading is an excellent way to bond with your baby. Remember, they are only young once! What are you waiting for? Grab a book and read to your child/grandchild/nephew/niece/friend (or listen to them read to you).

Resources:
kidshealth.org
Linda DiProperzio from Parents Magazine
Readtoyourbaby.com