There is something quite extraordinary about being read to as a child. We have great memories of being tucked up in bed with our Mom or Dad sitting next to us, reading one of our favorites. It’s a combination of the safety of being in bed while listening to the sound of their voice.

My mom used to try accents, which always made us giggle. But I still recall snuggling in bed, listening to the words, and imagining the characters and places. It was a wonderful time; I will always treasure it because it made me feel special. It was just the two of us and our time together.

What are the benefits of reading to your children?

The benefits are endless, but perhaps the most important is one-on-one time with our child.

Time Together, Just the Two of Us

Our lives have become so busy that we’re always rushing: rushing to school, rushing home from school, rushing to do homework and chores, having dinner, getting ready for tomorrow—the list is endless. It is almost as if we must find an excuse to relax and spend time together. And that’s what reading to your children is all about. It is a time to bond and create memories; they call it quality time together.

Building Lasting Relationships

We often take relationships with our children for granted, and before we know it, we are packing them off to college, wondering where the time went. The teenage years are rapidly approaching, so time is of the essence. 

Reading a story to your child creates endless opportunities for great conversation, and let’s be honest, trying to compete against technology is no mean feat. But a great book read by Mom or Dad, well, that trumps everything. You can talk about the characters and share what they look like, who your favorite is, and why. You can discuss everything from the various characters’ feelings – you may even be surprised by their insights - to what you think will happen next.

We can’t think of anything better than a child excitedly waiting for you to read the next chapter.

Sharing Your Love for Reading

We all know how incredible the world of books is, and reading to your children is an excellent way to share your love for them. You may just get them hooked, and they will continue to reap the benefits for the rest of their lives. It is also the perfect way to introduce them to new authors and different genres; a whole world is waiting for them, hidden among the pages of books. Let the journey begin.  

Research Shows

Research shows that reading books aloud improves comprehension skills and reduces stress for those of you looking for something more academic to cling to. I can’t think of any child who won’t benefit from those two. Students who read for pleasure outside the classroom tend to have stronger language skills.

There is so much pressure on children when it comes to reading at school - learning vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar, just to mention a few. One study showed that 35% of students don’t enjoy reading because being asked to analyze books makes it far less pleasurable.

It’s time to put the fun back into reading books! Grab a book and let your children simply relax and enjoy the story before their love of books completely fades. We think we need to take reading for fun as seriously as we take it from an academic perspective.

What Kind of Books Can You Read to Your Children?

There are so many incredible authors just waiting to be read that you won’t be spoiled for choice. Choosing books together is another great way to get to know your child better. An outing to the local bookstore is always a great place to start. We love browsing the shelves for our next favorite – sometimes, the title catches you or the cover.

This is another opportunity to discover what interests your child. Do they know any authors? What kind of books interest them – is it a great mystery, a suspenseful thriller, a fantasy, or science fiction? And if you are at a loss where to start, we have the perfect bi-monthly Tween book subscription box to help you. Bringing books to life is what we do best!

Bring Back the Fun

It doesn’t matter which author or genre you both choose. It is about spending time together, creating memories, and strengthening those bonds. It is about bringing back the joy of reading and instilling the love of reading into the next generation. 

And if listening to you read out loud isn’t filling your children with too much joy, grab the popcorn and start with an audiobook. They’ll beg you to read out loud to them before you know it!