Why Reading Is Important For Children? – And How To Start Early?

Reading is a good habit to instill in children. It helps engage their brains, improve language skills, and promote mental well-being. Teaching children to read at a young age will be beneficial for their future. Children who can read well can easily understand things, gain the confidence to write exams, and become experts in the language.

Although most parents know the importance of reading, they don’t have any clue about how to develop the habit in their children. Most of the parents who encourage young children to read don’t know when and how to start. This blog is a way to help such parents. The topic discussed in this is why reading is important for children and how to start it at an early age.

Why Is Reading Important for Your Child?

Reading is very good for children’s intellectual development and memory. Reading provides children with experiences beyond just a letter or a word. 

The following are the benefits of reading regularly to children:

Brain Development Begins Early

Reading can boost children’s brain development at a young age. It builds language, memory, and emotional intelligence in them.

Boosts Vocabulary and Communication Skills

Reading can boost children’s vocabulary and improve their communication skills. Through reading, children can learn new words and their meanings.

Improves Concentration and Focus

Even small daily reading sessions can make a big difference in children. Reading is one of the reasons why children improve concentration and focus.

Encourages Imagination and Creativity

Reading stories or other writings increases children’s imagination and creativity. They will visualize everything they read in their minds, which will develop their creativity.

Teaches Empathy and Emotional Awareness

The problems, emotions, and relationships experienced by the characters in the stories and writings they read have an impact on children. Through this, children can develop empathy and cope with problems more easily.

How to Start Reading Early? Simple Tips for Parents

You don’t have to be an expert to instill the habit of reading in your children. All you need to do is provide them with the environment and support to read. 

Let’s look at how to get children used to reading at a young age:

Start with the Basics:

For babies: Choose high-contrast board books with simple pictures

For toddlers: Pick interactive books with flaps, textures, and rhymes

For preschoolers: Go for stories with repetition and clear storylines

Make It a Routine:

Read every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes

Add reading to your bedtime or mealtime routine

Keep books easily accessible at home

Follow Their Interests:

Help your children choose the books they like.

Let your child read whatever they like, whether it’s related to animals, vehicles, or some characters.

Keep It Fun, Not Forced:

Use silly voices and facial expressions

Ask questions 

Don’t worry about perfection; just enjoy  the moment

What If Your Child Doesn’t Like Reading?

Although the importance of reading is emphasized in children, not all children necessarily like reading. Some children may not be interested at all. The parents should slowly create curiosity in them to read.

Here’s how to encourage such children to read:

Try audiobooks during car rides or quiet time

Use comics or graphic books with bright illustrations

Look for interactive books or books based on their favorite cartoons

Be a role model; let them see you reading, too

Make it a shared activity instead of a solo task

Book Recommendations by Age Group

Whether it’s children who are reading from a young age or older children, parents should be careful to choose books that are appropriate for their age. They should ensure that the knowledge according to each age reaches the children in a step-by-step manner. 

Here are some books according to the age group:

Babies (0–12 months)

1. Black & White Contrast Books

2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Toddlers (1–3 years)

1. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

2. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Early Readers (5–7 years)

1. Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Willems

2. Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

A brighter future lies in a little reading

If you ask why reading is important for children, the answer is simple: it will shape your child’s future. Reading helps children learn, understand, express, and imagine the world around them.

Children will never forget the habits they learn when they are young, even when they grow up. Developing the habit of reading at a young age will benefit children. It is up to parents to understand this and motivate and support their children.