Reading to your child is not only a very important part of their development but it also gives the two of you a chance to spend some quiet, quality time together.  Literacy rates around the world continue to be a problem and children are struggling when they enter school to read at their grade level.  Parents play a key role in their child’s ability to read and their enjoyment of reading.  By reading to your child early and often you can greatly impact not only your child’s ability to read but also their desire to read as well.  By reading with your child early on can also be instrumental in identify potential learning disabilities and begin work early to help your child work around those challenges and with those challenges.

In this computer driven world we live in the book seems to have lost a bit of its importance.  As parents we need to work with our children to help build their love for reading, which in turn helps build their intelligence and their creativity.  So what can parents do?

• Begin reading to your child right away.  Reading to your baby is a great way to spend some nice, quiet time together.  Your baby will enjoying hearing the sound of your voice and this early reading will build the framework for their language development.
• As your baby becomes a toddler focus on books that will help build their vocabulary and understanding of the language.  Encourage them to read with you and repeat words they remember.  Reading is a great way to teach your toddler their ABCs.
• Encourage your child to pick out the books with you so they feel part of the process and can focus on those types of books that they get the most enjoyment out of.  They will be really excited for reading time if they have picked out the book you are going to read.
• As your child is able to recognize letters and words begin to work with them and allow them to read part of the book to you.
• When your child is old enough to read on their own encourage them to continue reading with you, either they can read to you or the two of you can sit quietly and read together.
• Talk to your child about the books they are reading, get them to describe what is happening, this will help with their retention of information.
• Always encourage your child to read.  Even if life seems too busy.  If you have read to them starting early and often, and communicated with them about the importance of reading, they are more likely to take time out of their busy day to do a little reading.
• When they are old enough get them involved in book clubs, reading clubs, and other activities at the local library or bookstore.

From personal experience I can tell you that my love for reading directly stems from my mother and her love for books and reading.  She read to us early and often.  There were always books around our house and we all grew up understanding how important reading is and how enjoyable it is.  So as you are picking up things for your new baby’s nursery be sure to pick up a few books.  When you tuck your little one into bed tonight take the time to read them a story.  Encourage your teenager to keep reading, even if you don’t get to do it together anymore.  All of these things will help foster a love for books and reading that will be invaluable throughout your child’s life.