The Importance of Reading

 

 

As parents, we all know how important a good education is to our children.  To me, however, I feel that reading and writing skills are priority.  Don’t get me wrong, I hope that both of my sons excel in all subject areas, but I will place emphasis on their reading and writing skills. 

Reading is the foundation for the development of many other areas in children’s, as well as adult, lives.  Reading skills opens up the imagination of a child.  A child that is a great reader has better comprehension and analytical skills than those who don’t read quite as well or as often.  And, avid readers process information faster as noted in research presented by the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

Here are some other advantages for your child while reading:

• Reading develops creativity in a child that a TV show or a movie could not.  It makes their imagination stretch to the unknown as they read each paragraph of a story.  It makes them visualize what the author is describing from each word that is written. 
• Reading develops critical thinking skills.
• Reading increases vocabulary.
• Reading gives your child access to any topic.  For instance, if a child can read well and they are exposed to their library, internet, books, etc., then whenever they need to find an answer to a question, they have the whole world at their fingertips. 
• Reading can teach about other culture’s that your child may not be familiar with. 
• Reading can be a time of bonding for parent and child or grandparent and a grandchild.

This list could go on and on and on.  So, how can I improve my child’s reading skills?  Here are a few things that I feel works:

• Make time to read to your child or with your child every day.
• Surround your child with plenty of books and other reading materials.
• Show genuine interest in your child and their progression with their reading skills. 
• Take regular trips to the library.
• Possibly have your child join a book club or reading club at your local library.
• Encourage writing, whether it be writing or a story or writing in a journal, encourage writing.

I have always been an avid reader and reading has always came easy for me, so I try not to take that gift for granted.  My oldest son is having a bit of a harder time than what I had but, hopefully, with these tips, he will improve and enjoy it more and more as he becomes older.

Week 6 High Frequency Word List

1. me
2. up
3. go

~ Amy E. Snyder

One Comment

• pragmaticmom says:

  March 6, 2010 at 3:33 pm

  I started a book club for my oldest when she was finishing 1st grade to encourage her to read. She is now in 4th grade and it’s her favorite thing to do. We’ve had some wonderful experiences both getting to know kids and parents AND books through the book club. I started a book club for my middle child and am now about to restart the one for my youngest.

  I blog on starting a book club and share our most successful book club meetings.

  Pragmatic Mom