Why is it so advantageous to read to your kids?
During their first three years of life, children who are read to during their first three years of life can expect 12 years of future intellectual benefits. The benefits help children learn language skills, tune in to their emotions when stressed and deepen understanding.
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While the brain grows throughout childhood, the most important period is the first three years because of a lack of stimulation and a well-developed neural infrastructure. For example, scientific studies show that children who are read to have better language skills at age four than those who did not hear an adult read aloud during the period. Other benefits include tuning in emotionally when stressed or having an increased understanding of new things they experience.
For the last ten years, the National Institute of Literacy has funded studies to measure the number of books children get to read in their homes, classrooms, and libraries. The results show that less than one-third of children are getting a daily dose of reading. And less than two-fifths are getting that dose before age six or after age nine. These low levels suggest that we're losing many potentials for future intellectual benefits because many parents don't think it's important to read to their children every day.
But research shows this is just not true and is dangerous. The studies show that the amount of reading children do grows in proportion to the number of books in their homes, whether they're read aloud or read silently. For example, by age four, children are 25% more likely to have high language skills if they live in homes where many books are read aloud. Similarly, by age eight, children are 60% more likely to have high language skills if they've been read aloud to a lot as kids. That's one reason why it's so essential to make reading part of your daily routine when your children are infants and toddlers.
Children also need access to books in their classrooms and libraries so that nobody is left out. Ninety percent of children need to read in school by the time they're kindergarten age, and the benefits are significant for disadvantaged students. That's why we need to make sure that all our schools have a sufficient supply of books to meet the needs of all children.
What kind of books do parents read to their kids?
For parents, one of the most rewarding things we get to do is read to our kids. There's nothing more heartwarming or fulfilling than hearing them laugh and clap along as you read their favorite story. But if you're not sure what kind of books they like, then it can be difficult to choose - after all, reading a book that your little one won't enjoy is disappointing for them and can be frustrating for you too!
So today, we'll explore some book options for toddlers aged 1-5 years old and how they might react to each style. First, let's look at the more engaging books that develop language and stimulate language-rich environments.
The Storyteller Way
"We all tell stories about our lives, but a Storyteller knows the power of story and how it can be used to improve society." - Donald Maas
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A Storyteller book is one in which every word is chosen because it adds to the story's overall meaning. There's no filler language or unnecessary detail. Instead, everything that is said has a reason for being there, with each word serving a purpose. I recommend this book style to kids between 2 and 6 years old (it's OK for older kids too).
A popular book in this style is The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, but I like There's A Dragon In Your Book by Tom Fletcher even better.
How does your child respond? Your child will be drawn to the story because it keeps pulling them back in with its engaging, descriptive language. If you finish a paragraph and they say "again," that's a great sign!
Extend the fun by making up a song about the dragon as you read. Then, for a different experience, sing them their favorite bedtime lullaby or a song from their favorite album while reading.
For example, I sing every single night, a song to my daughter because she loves that I stay with her a little bit when she goes to bed, and if I don't, and even on the days that she's so tired, she will never fall asleep if I don't sing!
How to find Storyteller books:
A quick google search for "Storyteller books" brings up several websites that specialize in this type of book. An Amazon search for " Storyteller books " shows the top results, though sometimes it pulls up some general children's books that are in this style.
Searching for " Language Rich Books " or "Language Rich Environment" will bring up the best results.
Book suggestions:
There's A Dragon In Your Book by Tom Fletcher,
The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt,
Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall,
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell.
As I said, they are just suggestions, but they are good books for sure!
But, of course, they are much more to advise you, which I will share with you along this journey of blogging!
Lots of love