When to Begin Reading Stories to Children

Keep in mind that the first step to acquiring knowledge and new learning is reading. Therefore, it’s considered a basic skill in promoting a person’s cognitive development.

When should we begin reading stories to our children?

From the first years of our children’s lives, we can already begin reading them stories. In fact, it’s important that we do! This way, we introduce our little ones to begin reading progressively from a very early age. According to Antonio Manuel Trujillo García, the formation of child readers consists of three basic stages:

• The first stage begins as soon as our children are born and lasts until little ones begin to develop reading skills. During this stage, children still cannot read, meaning they need someone else to read stories to them.
• In the second stage, children acquire the ability to read. At this point, little ones read in the presence of others who can help them better understand what they’re reading.
• During the third stage, children are able to read with autonomy, without the assistance of others. 

It’s important for mothers and fathers to make sure their children go through this process. Therefore, it’s essential that they create moments for reading as a family. For example, they can read a bedtime story to their children each night.

It’s also a good idea to possess a wide range of stories and children’s books on hand. You should keep the books somewhere in your home where your children can easily see and reach them. This will help stimulate their curiosity so they begin to grab the books with their hands and examine them freely.

Characteristics to look for in a good children’s book

When it comes to choosing good stories and children’s books, you should make sure they possess most of the following characteristics:

• Few words and short phrases.
• Simple vocabulary.
• Many attractive images and illustrations.
• Different textures.
• Few pages.
• Stories that children can relate to.

What are the benefits of promoting reading habits during childhood?

The benefits of promoting reading habits in early childhood are numerous. Below are just a few:

• Reading boosts a child’s imagination and creativity.
• Favors children’s cognitive autonomy and the ability to learn how to learn.
• Maximizes the development and perfection of language.
• Helps improve oral and written expression.
• Increases a child’s vocabulary.
• Improves writing and spelling.
• Maximizes children’s ability to pay attention and concentrate.
• Improves children’s memory.

Therefore, parents are responsible for making reading a part of their daily routine. But to really reach the above benefits, it’s not only important to promote reading when your kids are little. Rather, as they grow older, children should observe how their parents read autonomously and enjoy doing so. This is because children look up to and imitate parental figures.