Is reading to children important? - Discover all the benefits of books

Although the world is developing at a frantic pace and offering more and more ways to spend free time, the number of those who enjoy reading daily for relaxation is not decreasing. It's worth instilling this passion in even the youngest children, so that they will eagerly reach for books in the future. Therefore, reading to children is important, as parents have the greatest influence in drawing children into the magical world of stories.

What are the benefits of reading books to children?

We hear from all sides that reading to children is important and has many benefits. Why? Does spending time reading really bring us any significant benefits? Yes – and there are many . Here are a handful of arguments that will convince everyone that books shouldn't disappear from our homes or be replaced by the internet, video games, and television. We'll also learn that it's worth instilling the joy of reading in children by reading to them from the very first days of life, because reading…

Reading to children is important because it develops their imagination

When we watch a movie, we see on screen the characters and locations of the story it depicts. We don't have to imagine almost anything, because the director, costume designers, and others have done that for us. It's different with a book. When we read it, we only have the words in front of us, and we have to visualize what's described on the pages. Often, these are things we can't see in real life! Scientists have long proven that reading stimulates the right hemisphere of our brain, which is responsible for imagination. After reading a book together, talk with your child about how they imagined a particular character or situation. Suggest that they draw an illustration of the story. You can do the same and then compare the pictures. This will be a great opportunity to talk about what imagination is and how different people perceive the same things.

T-shirt for a boy I support the gray cells 3-8 T-shirt for mom My child is well-read

Reading expands your vocabulary

The more words we know, the easier it is for us to formulate our thoughts – both orally and in writing. The Polish language contains approximately 10,000 words. Of course, no one truly knows them all. Those who read extensively have a much broader vocabulary than those who don't enjoy books. Through reading, children learn that there are people with different lifestyles, statuses, and skin colors . They learn tolerance and sensitivity to problems and misfortunes they haven't encountered before, including various forms of disability. Furthermore, fairy tales allow children to cope with many fears. Perfect examples are some of the fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm or Andersen, which may seem somewhat macabre, but teach children how to cope with stress and adversity. They also show that even the most difficult situations can be overcome .

Reading to children is important because it develops knowledge about the world

Even in books we read for entertainment, we can find a wealth of information that expands our knowledge of the world. When characters travel, we explore new countries and lands with them. If they live in the distant past, we have the opportunity to learn about how people lived back then – for example, in ancient Rome, which we are introduced to in the book "This is Rome." Fairy tales and fables, in turn, are a treasure trove of knowledge about folk beliefs. Trolls, dwarves, and nymphs appear in ancient legends from peoples all over the world. Thanks to books like "My First Book – Wild Animals," children learn about animals they often haven't even heard of before. Endo books offer not only engaging content but also beautiful illustrations by renowned Polish artists . Along with the text, they encourage children, even those previously reluctant to read, to pick one up. Children first look at the pictures and then, enticed, delve into the content.

By reading to children, we help them build relationships.

Before a child learns to recognize letters and form them into words and then into increasingly longer sentences, parents, grandparents, nannies, or older siblings read to them. This is not only fun for the child but also an opportunity to spend time together. Reading helps build bonds between the child and their family and caregivers. It creates a sense of security and belonging within the family. This is crucial for their emotional development and will facilitate their future relationships with others. Books like "Two People" can help with this. T-shirt for girls I swallow books whole 3-8 9-13

Reading to children is important because it improves their memory

When reading a novel, we have a ton of things to remember – character names, personalities, backstories, relationships with other characters, locations, plot lines, and small details. Trying to remember these things creates new neural connections, called synapses, in our brains, and strengthens existing ones. Reading will keep our memories in good shape for years to come. However, it's important to practice it from a young age .

How to choose a book appropriate for a child's age?

Parents buy their first children's books. How do you choose a book for a toddler to convince them that reading is great fun? Above all, consider the young reader's age. It shouldn't contain contexts only adults can understand. It should convey important and, above all, interesting content for the child. It can be written in beautiful Polish, so that the child learns to speak their native language correctly from a very young age. It should never contain swear words or vulgar language. It should also avoid conveying stereotypes related to race, nationality, or gender. Avoid books that may instill fear in the child.

How to encourage your child to read?

For many children, the encouragement to pick up books comes from the example of their parents, grandparents, and older siblings. A child will surely realize that if others are reading, there must be something truly interesting in those books! The mere presence of books in the home is an incentive for many children to reach for them. However, remember to give your child time to develop a love of reading. Don't insist that they read or listen to books read to them every day. Let them decide what they want to read, or what you want to read to them.

Reading is not only interesting, but also very healthy . Some say it's a kind of vitamin "Ch" that you can't overdose on, but it's undoubtedly a feast for the soul!

Photographs by @kubsony