If you develop a strong culture of reading in your house at the very beginning when you had your first child, the tendency is that you are growing a family with smarter kids. Reading stimulates the mind, and it can foster the development of language and vocabulary proficiency, which are measures of intelligence. Indeed, teaching our toddlers how to read has many other benefits, and so every parent should start teaching their children how to read while they are still young.
To ensure success in your endeavor, how child learns to read is crucial. While he may not be able to understand what you are reading at first, reading aloud in his presence will help him develop his listening skills, which is important when you start teaching him how to read. Reading aloud, slowly, and clearly will surely capture his attention. Look for children’s books that have colorful illustrations, and your child will surely be interested in turning the pages himself. Reading aloud the captions will help him identify the objects.
Here are the benefits of reading aloud while teaching your child.
Develops His Listening Skills
When teaching your child by reading aloud, you are shooting two birds at the same time. You are not only developing his reading abilities but also his listening skills. Make your reading a little more exciting, like changing the tone of your voice. This will negate his short attention span.
Helps in Language Development
Reading aloud, slowly, and clearly will trigger your toddler to follow the words you are saying. Let him practice some more by reading the same words over again. This will lead to language development. It will also build word-sound awareness, which can determine the success of your reading sessions.
Supports Academic Growth
When a child falls behind in improving his reading skills compared to his classmates in school, the tendency is that he also be behind in other subjects. There is no subject where reading has no vital role. Indeed, when your child is advanced in his reading, there is no way that he will not excel in other subjects too.
Develops Cognitive Skill
Reading aloud should not be stopped even if your child is now advanced in his reading. Reading aloud helps in developing cognitive skills. In some studies, it was learned that reading aloud can alleviate stress and mental suffering. It can also create curiosity, trigger motivation, and enhance memory, which are all indicators of a smart child.