While it may be overstated constantly, reading to your child from the very beginning is perhaps one of the most important things you can do. By taking the time to spend with your child with a book, you are helping them to appreciate the magical qualities that language can have and their interest in these qualities is what makes them keen learners. Not only that, but they will learn a whole lot more about grammar and word tools. Children s books especially are outfitted with rhyme and vivid pictures to accompany the words and children can get lost in the treasure of language. In addition, reading also promotes another important speech related ability and that is to be able to read out loud.
Many children struggle with just being able to read, much less the ability to do it out loud.
Story time can bring a whole new dimension to the important skills of language. It is never to young to start reading to a child. A baby fresh out of the womb can appreciate the gently lull of words and some fantastically colored pictures. By starting to read to them as early as possible you are reinforcing the foundations of an easy transition later. A simple matter of describing what they are doing, seeing and hearing can lead to a lot of useful speech development.