As an avid reader myself, reading is just fun – even if it’s reading a picture book out loud. Beyond being enjoyable, research has found that reading to your child is super important to his/her development. Read on for some research-backed reasons why reading to your child is important.
Learning to read doesn’t ‘just happen’ in the formal school system
Reading skills in the U.S., on average, are shockingly low. For instance, reports show that “50% of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth-grade level”1. The 2022 4th grade reading assessment shows that:
- 37% of students read below the ‘basic’ level 3
- 29% read at the ‘basic’ level 3
- 24% of students read at the ‘proficient’ level 3
- only 9% read at the ‘advanced’ level 3.
What do these levels mean? The ‘basic’ level for 4th grade includes simple things like “sequence or categorize events from the story” or “identify explicit details from the text”. The ‘advanced’ level includes things like “compare two texts to support an opinion”.4
Unfortunately, for many children, the school system doesn’t seem to be able to help much.
Statistics show that “[a] child is 90% likely to remain a poor reader at the end of the fourth grade if the child is a poor reader at the end of first grade”1.
And it doesn’t stop there. “Children who can’t read proficiently by the 4th grade are up to 15 times more likely to drop-out of school”21. Drop-outs can choose from a lot fewer jobs. On average, they also earn less than those who finish school 21.
In contrast, research links reading well to a long list of positive outcomes, such as less poverty, less poor health, and better education16.
But reading to your child helps your child learn to read, and read well
While you can’t rely on the school system to help your child learn how to read well, you can read to your child. One author argues that “[t]he single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school”10. Part of that is that reading is so fundamental for education. And early access to books is crucial for reading.
Research has linked reading to children to their development of pre-literacy skills. And pre-literacy skills influence how well children will read later.5 Pre-literacy skills include5:
- learning letters and that they represent words,
- learning how to handle a book,
- getting to know a wide range of words,
- learning about stories and their structure, and
- learning about how a language works, including grammar and phonological awareness (such as the letter-sound connection).
One study with more than 20,000 children (kindergarten/ 1st grade) found that “[t]hose who are read to at least three times a week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading than children read to less than three times a week”12.
Moreover, research also links RAN (rapid automatized naming) to later reading. Basically, on a RAN task, an adult shows a child several rows, each with supposedly familiar objects, letters, or numbers. The adult then asks the child to name the objects (left to right, top to bottom, like in a text). The adult administering the task times how long it takes the child to do so. Screenings for the risk of reading difficulties and dyslexia often use RAN tasks. Based on the current limited understanding, you can’t teach your child RAN itself 7.
However, since the task deals with naming familiar objects, children need to be familiar with pictures of objects and their names. For instance, they need to be able to recognize a drawing of a fish as a fish to be able to say the word out loud. Reading aloud to your child can help build his/her vocabulary. It can also help them make word-picture associations as they see different illustrations of the same word (such as fish). This makes it easier to recognize the word in a new drawing.
Looking at more than 200 studies published over decades, one book “asserts that the ability to read comes primarily from exposure to comprehensible text with appropriate elaborative assistance, even in the absence of explicit metalinguistic instruction”. Basically, having access to books and reading them with somebody is more important than “formal instruction in reading”9. ‘Elaborative assistance’ includes explaining words. It also includes providing “background information for a story”9.
Similarly, another review found that “[t]he only behavior measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home”10.
Another study found that “[c]hildren who have access to books in their home are six times more likely to read above the level expected for their age”.13
Reading to your child improves his/her vocabulary
Reading to your child also helps build his/her vocabulary. This helps them to learn to read 5, 14. Knowing more words and concepts also helps your child to learn a wide variety of subjects and understand the world 14, 23.
Think how many children’s books feature animals, for instance. Even if you haven’t been to a zoo yet with your child, a book might introduce him/her to a giraffe. How often would giraffes come up in your daily speech, if not for a book? Or if you don’t live near a farm, your child might not see sheep in daily life. Even if you visit a farm during a vacation, that farm might not have sheep. However, s/he can learn about them even at home in books. And that’s just two examples. Research actually discovered that children’s books contain a lot of rare words. Those words are not found in most everyday conversations or even in other media such as TV shows 5.
How many words does your child get exposed to when you read to him/her? In one study, researchers looked at board and picture books. “They found that board books contained an average of 140 words, while picture books contained an average of 228 words”6. Researchers then used that number to estimate how many words children hear when being read to. They assumed board books until age 3 and then picture books until age 5. The researchers estimate6 that from birth through age 5, if you read your child on average
- 1 book every two months (so 6 books a year, or 30 books over 5 years) they would hear 4662 words
- 1 book once or twice a week (so 52 to 104 books a year, or 260 to 520 books over 5 years) they would hear 63,570 words
- 1 book “3-5 times” a week (so 156 to 260 books a year, or 780 to 1300 over 5 years) they would hear 169,520 words
- 1 book every day (so 365 books a year or 1825 books over 5 years) they would hear 296,660 words
- 5 books every day (so 1825 books a year or 9125 over 5 years) they would hear 1,483,300 words
.6 Yes, you read that right. There’s a difference of more than 1.4 MILLION words6 and more than 9000 books readings. That’s a lot, both in new content and in reinforcing vocabulary. Parents can read one book multiple times, each time counts as a book. Repeating a book over and over helps reinforce vocabulary and learn language 23.
Reading to your child is an opportunity for quality talking time and bonding
Reading to your child is a great opportunity for quality talking time. For instance, you can talk about the story and the pictures in the book.5
This talking about the books helps your child to make a connection between the book and his/her life. It also helps them “to make sense of their own lives, especially at a young age”.14, see also 5, 23 It can be used to discuss a wide range of topics14,23.
One study recorded parents speaking to their children at age 3. Children of one group of parents on average “only heard about 616 words per hour”. Children in another group “heard an average of 2153 words per hour”. The researchers estimated that over the course of 4 years, this difference would amount to a more than”30 million word gap“. They found that how much their parents talked to them had a huge impact on the children’s vocabulary. “At age 3”, children in the group of parents that talked more had a “vocabulary of 1100 words” while the children of those who talked less had only a vocabulary of “just above 500 words”. The researchers looked at some of the same kids at ages 9 to 10. They found that these “large differences in children’s language experience were tightly linked to large differences in child outcomes”. 11
Moreover, reading to your child is also good for your relationship with him/her and through that their development. As one site puts it: “When it comes to children, one of the most important things you can do to positively influence their development is spend time with them […] Reading a favorite book to your children not only helps you bond with them but also gives your children a sense of intimacy and well-being”14. For instance, “[r]egularly reading to a child for the love of it provides a connection between parent and child from the very early days and helps build strong family ties. Lines from favourite stories enter the family lexicon. Families who enjoy reading together have more opportunities for discussion, developing empathy and attachment.”15
Reading to your child provides important sensory input
When your child listens to a recording of a book, it’s not at all the same as when you read the book to them:
“The sensory experiences of sitting with a caregiver, hearing that familiar voice, and feeling a book in their hands are all important for kids’ brain development […] “The physical contact that you get from being held by your parent while you’re reading actually helps to engage neurons in the brain, which make kids more receptive to the language and the cognitive stimulation that they’re getting from that experience,” Dr. Phillips says.”23
Reading to your child helps him/her to like reading
Having that shared time with your child also helps your child to like reading14,15,20:
” “Every time we read to a child, we’re sending a ‘pleasure’ message to the child’s brain… You could even call it a commercial, conditioning the child to associate books and print with pleasure” (ReadAloud.org)”
Jim Trelasse14
Liking to read is not just important for learning in school, but also for learning throughout one’s life14. 15. It can also improve well-being 15.
Reading to your child impacts their brain development
Your child’s brain is rapidly developing from birth through age 3.10, 14 Reading to your child helps to make connections in your child’s brain14 and increases activity in certain regions of the brain22.
One study used brain scans of 3- to 5-year-olds while they were being read a story in the lab. They found that “the more often children had story time at home, the more brain activity they showed while listening to stories in the research lab. The difference was seen in a brain region involved in so-called semantic processing—the ability to extract meaning from words.”17
Another study compared brain scans of preschoolers who often had a caregiver read to them and those who used screens daily (“more than one hour a day”). Those who got read to had way more “organized white matter in the language centers” of the brain than those who used screens. Moreover, “children who frequently read books with their caregiver scored higher on cognitive tests”. 18
Reading to your child helps their motor development
At the early stages, learning to handle books – such as helping to turn pages, lift flaps, etc., also helps your baby’s/toddler’s motor development.
Reading to your child helps their emotional development and attention span
“According to a recently published study, reading to very young children is linked to decreased levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and attention difficulties”19. Reading to your child also helps build their attention span and memory 14,20.
In general, reading for pleasure is also associated with better emotional competency/ awareness, empathy21,23, and decision-making.22 Studies found that reading can lead to greater satisfaction with life, better self-esteem, better sleep, and lower stress levels22.
When should you start reading to your child?
The best time to start is when your child is born. The second best time is now.
Seriously. Even if your baby can’t talk yet, read to him/her23. One study compared parents reading 1 book a day to their babies to those reading less. Both at 9 months and 12 months, babies that got read 7 books/week had significantly “higher expressive, receptive and combined language scores” than those who got exposed to less8.
Your library and get-a-free-book-programs can help
Your local library might have free membership and a big selection of board and picture books. They might also participate in programs such as the 1000 books before kindergarten challenge. For instance, at the Manheim Township Library in Lancaster, parents receive a free folder to log the books they read to their child, stickers for every 100 books read (as well as the option to take a photo), and a free book for 500 and 1000 books.
If you live in the U.S., depending on your state, you might have access to a get-a-free book program. For instance, FERST, which sends a free book to enrolled families every month from birth through age 5, is available in “Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia”.10
A similar program is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Libary. You can check whether your area is covered here.
If your child is Jewish and you live in the U.S., s/he is eligible to get a free book a month from PJ library.
If you live in Lancaster, PA, Roseville Pediatrics gives out a free book at the children’s well visits (e.g., the 12-month, 15-month etc. check-up). Moreover, the free program Plant the Seed of Learning also has a free book as part of at least some of their free take-home bags.
References
1 Admin-Travis (2019). 30 Key child literacy stats parents need to be aware of. https://literacyproj.org/2019/02/14/30-key-child-literacy-stats-parents-need-to-be-aware-of/ (last checked Oct 20, 2023), some referencing links within the document are broken
2 Admin-Travis (2019). 30 Key child literacy stats parents need to be aware of. https://literacyproj.org/2019/02/14/30-key-child-literacy-stats-parents-need-to-be-aware-of/ (last checked Oct 20, 2023) referencing https://www.childrenswritersguild.com/the-power-of-books/#firstsource which in turn references "Write Express Corporation. “Literacy Statistics.” Begin to Read"
3 NAEP Reading Assessment (2022) https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/reading/2022/ (last checked Oct 20, 2023)
4 NAEP Grade 4. https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/reading/achieve.aspx#2009_grade4 (last checked Oct 20, 2023)
5 literature review in Duursma, E, Augustyn, M & Zuckerman, B. (2008). Reading aloud to children: the evidence. Arch Dis Child, Vol 93, No. 7, p. 554-557; see also e.g. Powell, D. & Atkinson, L. (2021). Unraveling the links between rapid automatized naming (RAN), phonological awareness, and reading. Journal of Educational Psychology, 113(4), 706–718. (Abstract) https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-62984-001
6 A 'million word gap' for children who aren't read to at home
That's how many fewer words some may hear by kindergarten https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190404074947.htm (last checked Oct 20, 2023)
7 Norton, E. (2020). What educators need to know about Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN). Bulletin Learning difficulties Australia Vol. 52, No. 1. p. 25-28. https://learnlab.northwestern.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Norton-What-educators-need-to-know-about-RAN.pdf; Shanahan, T. (n.d.). How can I teach RAN to improve my students’ reading? https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-on-literacy/how-can-i-teach-ran-improve-my-students-reading; Powell, D. & Atkinson, L. (2021). Unraveling the links between rapid automatized naming (RAN), phonological awareness, and reading. Journal of Educational Psychology, 113(4), 706–718. (Abstract) https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-62984-001
8 Franks, A.M., Seaman, C., Franks, E.K., Rollyson, W., Davies, T. (2022). Parental Reading to Infants Improves Language Score: A Rural Family Medicine Intervention. JABFM Vol. 35, No. 6, p. 1156-1162. Abstract. https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/35/6/1156.full.pdf
9 Isenhour, J.A (n.d.). Book Review of "The Literacy Crisis: False claims, Real Solutions. by Jeff McQuillan" (1998). https://archive.nwp.org/cs/public/download/nwp_file/534/The_Literacy_Crisis.pdf?x-r=pcfile_d
10 Ferst Readers (n.d.) Program Overview https://ferstreaders.org/about-us/program-overview
11 literature review in Duursma, E, Augustyn, M & Zuckerman, B. (2008). Reading aloud to children: the evidence. Arch Dis Child, Vol 93, No. 7, p. 554-557; https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-62984-001 Hart, B., Risley, T. (1995). Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children (Abstract) and https://products.brookespublishing.com/Meaningful-Differences-in-the-Everyday-Experience-of-Young-American-Children-P14.aspx and http://www.wvearlychildhood.org/resources/C-13_Handout_1.pdf
12 Denton, K., West, J. (2002) Children's Reading and Mathematics Achievement in Kindergarten and First Grade https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/2002125.pdf, p. 16
13 Bernies Book Bank. (n.d.) Reading is the single most important skill a child needs https://www.berniesbookbank.org/about/the-need/, referencing "Gift of reading: children’s book ownership in 2019"
14 All4Kids. (n.d.) The importance of reading to your children. https://www.all4kids.org/news/blog/the-importance-of-reading-to-your-children/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20“the,”%20(PBS.org). (last checked Oct 22, 23)
15 Natural Literacy Trust (2020). Reading to children is so powerful, so simple and yet so misunderstood. https://literacytrust.org.uk/blog/reading-children-so-powerful-so-simple-and-yet-so-misunderstood/ (last checked Oct 22, 23)
16 Hudgens, L. (n.d.) Research Shows Reading is More Important For Our Kids Than You Ever Imagined https://www.boredteachers.com/post/reading-is-more-important-than-you-ever-imagined, referencing A. Robinson and a 2020 study by the Barbara Bush Foundation (last checked Oct 22, 23)
17 Norton, A. (2015). Brain scans show why reading to kids is good for them. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-08-brain-scans-kids-good.html (last checked Oct 22, 23)
18 LaMotte, S. (2020). This is your child’s brain on books: Scans show benefit of reading vs. screen time https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/health/child-brain-reading-books-wellness/index.html (last checked Oct 22, 23)
19 Farmer Kris, D. (2018). Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/why-reading-aloud-to-kids-helps-them-thrive, referencing a NYT article (last checked Oct 22, 23)
20 Abram, T. (2012). Reading aloud to kids has many benefits https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reading_aloud_to_kids_has_many_benefits#:~:text=Reading%20aloud%20helps%20develop%20attention,them%20successfully%20sail%20into%20reading. (last checked Oct 23, 23)
21 Traveling Stories (n.d.) Why Read Matters: Shocking American Literacy Stats https://www.travelingstories.org/blog/why-reading-matters (last checked Oct 23, 23)
22 Zauderer, S. (2023) 39 Reading Statistics and Facts You Should Know https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/reading-statistics (last checked Oct 23, 23)
23 Sheldon-Dean, H. (2023). Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child? https://childmind.org/article/why-is-it-important-to-read-to-your-child/ (last checked Oct 23, 23)