Building A Love For Books: 8 Reasons Why Reading Is Important For Children

Posted on 24 Oct 2022 | Posted in StevensBooks Blogs

As the world becomes more and more digitized, it's more important than ever for children to learn to read.

Reading is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Not only does it help with their schoolwork, but reading also opens up a whole new world of knowledge and imagination. Sadly, so many kids today are reluctant to pick up a book and much rather play games on their gadgets instead. 

As a parent, you may be wondering how to get your child to develop a love for reading. However, there are so many responsibilities you must juggle that it’s hard to find the time to read, let alone read with your kids.

Every parent wants their children to succeed in school and life, so you know deep down that reading is important and necessary for your little one. If you’re still on fence in joining your child in a reading escapade, we’ve enumerated the reasons why you should:

 

Reading builds their vocabulary and literacy skills.

Through reading, children are exposed to a variety of literature which helps them learn new words and understand how to put these together to form sentences. The more they read, the better they’ll grasp how grammar and sentence structure work. As they get older, the reading comprehension they developed at a young age becomes more important for success in school and work. This will make them better writers and intellectuals in the long run. 

 

Reading develops their imagination and creativity.

Kids can explore new ideas through the stories they read. When children immerse themselves in literature, they can use their imagination to picture the characters and events in their mind. They become familiar with various writing styles, genres and viewpoints— all of which contribute in cultivating their own creative voice. They learn to make connections between different concepts and think out-of-the-box in order to figure out what’s going to happen next. 

 

Reading fosters their understanding of the world around them.

Children are like sponges that soak up all the information they come across, and reading is one of the best ways for them to learn about their surroundings. It’s an activity that hones their ability to recognize situations that are going on. Kids who read often have a better understanding of people, places, and events than those who do not read regularly. Every time they read books, they can learn about other cultures, countries, and even worlds that they would never otherwise know about.

 

Reading improves their communication skills.

Books guide children into gaining a better understanding of language. This, in turn, allows them to communicate more effectively with others because they know how to use the right words and express themselves properly. When kids also practice reading aloud, they will get better with pronunciation and speech fluency, both factors that give them the confidence to speak in public and voice out their thoughts. 

 

Reading builds their concentration and focus.

When children read or listen to someone read aloud, they learn how to pay attention and understand what they hear and see. If you have rowdy and overly active kids, reading can train them to behave and to keep their focus on a book for long periods of time. It nourishes their patience and discipline. Once they’re drawn into the story, they wouldn’t want to look away so they can understand what they are reading. The best part is that they would be able to have fun without making a havoc in the house.

 

Reading sharpens the mind.

Studies have shown that kids who read regularly score higher on tests than those who don't. This is because children exercise their mind whenever they pore through a book. Their reading comprehension improves as they learn to identify main ideas, make inferences, and draw conclusions. They understand complex concepts faster and solve problems quicker with the critical thinking skills they got from analyzing books and stories. The activity also improves their memory and retention skills, so they can easily recall information that they learned. 

 

Reading provides them with many social benefits.

Reading is a great way for children to bond with their parents, guardians, and friends. When people spend time reading together, they can create lasting memories and a shared connection. Through reading, children can become closer with their loved ones, share ideas, and feel part of a community. Additionally, reading encourages children to develop empathy and understanding for others. They will be able to differentiate good from bad and emulate protagonists who are kind, brave, and generous. 

 

Reading offers them another form of entertainment.

Reading can be a fun and joyful activity that kids can do on their own or with friends and family. It can give them a sense of achievement and pride when they see their reading progress and how far they’ve come with each reading session. If children also start reading early, they’re more likely to love it and do it out of enjoyment rather than requirement, such as obligated reading in schools. They will see reading as a worthwhile pastime rather than an inconvenience or a chore.

 

 

All of these reasons make reading an essential part of a child’s education and development. Reading is a fundamental life skill that every child should learn. It's essential for school and career success and can help children in all aspects of their lives. If you want your child to excel, encourage them to read as much as possible.

The first step, of course, is finding the right book to read. We have an article on that if you want to learn more. We also have a collection of thousands upon thousands of books, so you won’t have any excuse in choosing one for your kid.