Reading to Children

Reading storybooks to children is one of the most important activities for developing the knowledge required for later success in reading. Reading to children from a young age has proven to increase language growth, early literacy skills and reading achievement.  Children’s vocabulary is increased through discussion and questioning during story time, it is important to ask questions, challenge their thinking and connect them to the text. Modelling positive reading behaviours encourages children to develop a passion for reading themselves and further develops their cognitive skills. Cognitive skills of young children are an important factor in later life success. Cognitive skills are not fixed, however, can be influenced through education in schools and parental efforts. There has been evidence to suggest that there is a strong link between reading to children and developmental outcomes.

Listening to Children Read

It is also important to listen to children read. Listening to children read involves listening as well as facilitating and guiding discussions about the text. Discussions around the text help children build their understanding of the text, the author’s intentions and purpose as well as building vocabulary. By asking questions about the text children develop their skills in communication as they explain and interpret the information. Children also develop their thinking skills as they comprehend meaning and purpose of the text. Children may also have questions while they read, by listening and engaging in their books we are able to guide them in their questions and possible responses. As we read we create questions about characters, settings or plots in the story, while listening to children read we have the opportunity to discuss these questions and formulate ideas with our children. Shared reading time is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our interest and enjoyment of reading.

Parents play an important role in the educational development of their children. Parental reading to children has been proven to increase children’s reading and cognitive skills and has lifelong benefits.

Ms Isobelle Best and Ms Petra Raic – Learning Enhancement