The Importance of Reading to Children: Who?

This post continues a series about reading to children. I've already written about why we read and where we should do it. Today let's discuss who should read to our children.

Photo by Woodley Wonderworks

Many young children listen to stories read by their teachers. This is a wonderful way to excite children about books. But the greatest benefits come when reading is a much bigger part of a child's life. The combination of classroom introduction and home reinforcement is a powerful one.

Ideally, both mothers and fathers will read to their children. Since my current profession is full-time mothering, I do most of the reading aloud in our home. This is an easy "task" because it's my passion. But it's wonderful if children know that reading is valued by Dad as well.

Recently we pulled out a fun series of children's books called Mr. Men. They were one of Steve's favorites as a child. So he's begun a special tradition of reading them to the kids before bed. They don't really want me to read them - they are "Daddy's books!"

Set aside a short time in your day when your children read alone - not as a chore to check off, but as a fun activity to enjoy. Preschoolers can flip through picture books. Later as a child gains reading fluency it's a helpful practice time.

Finally, who needs to be reading? YOU DO. Setting the example by reading for pleasure and study in front of your kids is the best way to raise a reader. I make a point to tell my kids about what I've been reading. Today I mentioned the Hemingway novella I just finished - not to make a lesson out of it, but to share what I love with those I love.