The Proven Magic of Reading with Your Kids

The Million Word Gap

Children entering kindergarten who have been read to daily have heard approximately 300,000 to 1.4 million more words than children who have not.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

Reading at least one book a day not only positively impacts your child’s cognitive development, but also buildsadult-child bonds and critical social-emotional skills, such as confidence.

A few years ago, my nephew was having “reading challenges,” which significantly impacted his confidence. He consistently referred to himself as “stupid” when I was around him.

One day, his grandmother offered to work with him on his reading and spelling. My nephew started riding the school bus to her house after school. Over time, his reading and spelling improved. And, ultimately, his confidence and grades in school were transformed. During my last visit he proudly told me that he made all As and only one B, and that B was in band! Evidently playing the trumpet is not his passion. However, hecontinues to read above grade-level and has a strong emotional bond with his amazing grandmother.

Building Bonds

Whether it is reading to your babies and toddlers, reading together with early elementary kids, or inviting your older elementary children to read to you or their younger siblings, you are continuously building bonds and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Why?

One of the things I have observed is that caring adults who have been 100% focused-in-the-present with me are the ones that have had the greatest impact. Whether it was my mother reading with me as a child, or my professor pausing to focus on me and my dissertation, it has been the quality of time that mattered most in building emotional bonds or connections.

When you read with your children, the world slows down. There are no flashing screens. It’s just you and your children. Together. In the moment.

Make Reading Fun

Child literacy consultant, Keisha Siriboe, challenges all adults to make reading more fun by “meeting the neurodiverse learning styles” of their children. I like to call this “meeting kids where they’re at.” In an NPR interview, Siriboe goes on to share four ways to engage your kids:

1. Talk – about the topic of the book.

2. Read – which includes looking at images, words, and storyline.

3. Play – different scenarios in the book or act out how this might apply in your child’s world.

4. Sing – which could include creating your own song or finding a YouTube song that relates to the topic or characters in the book.

Be creative, have fun, and ask yourself: “What can my child get lost in doing?” Then, start to build fun reading experiences around that.

Creating Confidence

Like my nephew, reading with your kids can create confidence in their reading as well as other areas of life.

A couple of the 7 Tips for Creating Confidence in Kids can be easily applied to reading. First, be sure to “reinforce and reward effort.” Consider ideas such as: (1) Keeping track of the number of books or amount of time reading; and (2) Rewarding effort with stickers and allowing kids to put their stickers on a fun chart to track progress. Be sure to modify these ideas based on the developmental level of your child.

Second, help kids “develop a Growth Mindset.” Start by using the word YET in your vocabulary. If your kids they become frustrated with their reading, make statements like: “You may have not mastered reading YET, but if you keep reading, you’re going to get better.” For older kids, challenge them to come up with their own statement to say out loud when they become frustrated.

Developing the mental skill of confidence is the same as developing a physical muscle in your body. Intentionally and consistently focusing on reinforcing and reward effort, as well as developing a Growth Mindset, are proven ways to help your children build their “confidence muscle.”

If you’re not already reading with your kids, I encourage you to start today! And I challenge each of you to make reading more fun by talking, playing, and singing. Remember, if you read at least one book a day with your children, they will experience the magical benefits of reading to includes building emotional bonds with you and creating confidence that lasts a lifetime!