ii. You were not just enjoying someone sitting next to you opening that book, but your brain was stimulated and nurtured by those words and pictures. 2. The American Library Association recognizes this and is a big proponent for reading to children. They submit that, “Reading to children is one – if not the most – important contributions we can make to their ability to learn.” 3. Reading also provides opportunities for physical development. a. According to the article, “What is the importance of reading to a child?” “by simply turning the pages of a book, motor skills are fine tuned. It also stimulates the muscles of the eyes and affects the chemistry of the body by utilizing the brain. The senses of sight, sound, touch, and smell are also affected.” b. Socialization skills in the learning environment can also be impacted from reading to children. i. The America’s Children Report showed that “children’s inclinations toward education also affect their ability to learn. By instilling a love for reading and encouraging children to maintain it aids in a stronger desire to resist persuasion of peers in the negative and helps them continue to develop.” For example children who enjoy reading and learning are less likely to drop out of school and get into drugs. 4. More support for the benefits of reading to children comes from The National Academy on Education Commission on Reading also states that their research shows “that children who have been exposed to reading and other cultural experiences before they begin school have a better chance at success in formal learning.” (Internal Summary) I’ve talked about the impact that reading to children has on their vocabulary development and how it readies them for the school environment helping them to become better learners. The benefits do not end there, though. Another important reason to read to children is the impact it has on their love of literature, as well as the bond that it creates between adult and child. III. Reading to a child can deepen their appreciation of others. A. When adults read aloud to children, it’s fun for everyone. Some of my favorite moments are when I’m reading to my nephew. To see him get excited about hearing a story, gets me more into the story myself.
them grow and help them know what Dr. Seuss knew: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Bibliography Brennan, Stephanie. “Once Upon A Time: An Internet Webquest on Successful Child Readers.” 2002. 10 Feb. 2003. http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/webeffects1.html Force, Pam. “Reading to Children Increases their Ability to Learn.” 2000. 10 Feb. 2003. www.geocities.com/prlforce Hall, Susan L. and Luisa C. Moats, Ed.D. “Reading to Children Is Important,” Excerpt from the book Straight Talk About Reading. 10 Feb. 2003 http://www.acslp.org/homepages/Siles/september.html Huck, Charlotte S., Susan Helper, Janet Hickman, and Barbara Z. Kiefer. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School: Seventh Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2001. Joy, Julie. “The Importance of reading to children for early literacy.” 2002. 10 Feb. 2003. http://ma.essortment.com/earlyliteracyp_rxjf.htm Leach, Penelope, Ph.D. “The Importance of Reading to Children.” 1997. 10 Feb. 2003. Wilson, Christina. “What is the Importance of Reading to a Child?” 2002. 10 Feb. 2003. http://www.co.essortment.com/childreadingim_rhqw.htm