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HOME/Learning and Growing/Why You Should Read With Your Child From Birth

Why You Should Read With Your Child From Birth

Why You Should Read With Your Child From Birth
February 2, 2022
8 Comments
By: Kristy High, MEd

You’ve likely heard that it’s a good idea to start reading to your baby starting right when they’re born. But why? Does it really have that big of an impact?

The answer to that question is simple: Yes, it does. Studies show that kids who are ready to learn in kindergarten do better in school as they grow.

One easy, effective and enjoyable way to help prepare kids for learning in kindergarten is to start reading with them when they’re infants. My mantra to parents is, “You are your child’s first teacher.” Parents can begin the learning process by opening up a book and reading to their child when they are newborns.

WHY START SO YOUNG?

There are many reasons to start fostering a love of books right from the moment your child joins your family.

Sharing books with young children promotes skills that last a lifetime, including speech development, language development and preliteracy skills.

When young children are read to, they develop vocabulary, learn repetition, and recognize rhythm in the language. That not only boosts brain activity, but also gets them ready for reading on their own. While you may not even realize it, reading as little as 15 minutes a day with your child is helping prepare them to be ready to learn when they start kindergarten.

Reading with your children strengthens bonds between you and them.

It’s soothing for babies to hear your voice and be close to you. Reading together creates that close connection naturally. As you read, you’re communicating with your baby—pointing to pictures, expressing emotions over scenes in the book, changing your tone of voice based on what’s happening in the story. Even when your infant is too young to engage with the book, you are connecting with them emotionally and helping to build a strong relationship with them.

Reading to infants starts a pattern that you can continue throughout the elementary school years.

When you start reading from birth, it becomes a habit that children expect as part of their daily routine. This makes reading less of a chore when kids start school, because they are already used to daily reading.

Much emphasis is placed on kindergarten readiness because it can help predict how a child will do later in school. Kindergarten readiness is predictive of 3rd grade reading ability, which is predictive of graduation. When kids come to kindergarten recognizing words and numbers and colors, it gives them a jump start that impacts them for years to come.

Some of my colleagues and I recently published a study that demonstrated that children in a reading program improved readiness for kindergarten by 15% over the three years of the study. The results showed that children who are read to and have participated in two reading programs (Reach Out and Read—a program available to certain families through their pediatrician—and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, described below) have better kindergarten readiness scores than children who have not had access to the books and guidance provided by the programs.

FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS MAILED TO YOUR HOME

Dolly Parton started a program called Imagination Library as a tribute to her father, who was unable to read. She wanted to inspire kids to love to read. Children enrolled in this program receive a new, free book in the mail each month for five years, starting at birth.

Thanks to efforts by Cincinnati Children’s, support from Every Child Capital Venture Philanthropy Fund, several corporate and community sponsors, and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine, all children ages 5 and younger in the state of Ohio are eligible to sign up for Imagination Library regardless of where you live or your income level. This is an easy way to find books to read with your little one and start that love of reading early.

As the one who manages the Cincinnati Imagination Library through Cincinnati Children’s, I highly encourage anyone with a child between the ages of birth and 5 to enroll in this program. I used it with my own daughter and it was so fun to see her get excited each month when her new books arrived. When your child finds a book they fall in love with, it’s magical.

Listen to this episode of the Cincinnati Children’s Young and Healthy podcast to hear one of our experts talk more about the benefits of reading with young children and offer children’s book recommendations.

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Kristy High, MEd

About the author: Kristy High, MEd

Kristy High, MEd, is a community engagement specialist who oversees the Imagination Library and Reach Out and Read programs at Cincinnati Children’s. She is also a children’s book author and vice president on the board of Winn Reading, a nonprofit organization that helps emergent readers in Cincinnati. Kristy is passionate about education, reading and literacy, and encourages children to be the best version of themselves.

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Comments

Moni’s Mom February 2, 2022 at 10:51 pm

This information is spot on! I started a reading bed time routine when my daughter was three months. Now as a fifth grader, she continues to read before bed and enjoys it. It’s great to see that there’s data that points to the benefits of introducing reading during the infant stage of a child’s development.

GailJ February 3, 2022 at 12:50 am

Great sessions, loved all the tips. 15 minutes a day can be a great bonding and family time with your children.

Robbie February 3, 2022 at 7:20 am

Outstanding read and so much needed today. Preparing for the future starts with planning and working now. Keep expanding your audience and say it again for the people in the rear.

Mama February 3, 2022 at 10:26 am

I remember reading to Tiana when she was beginning to talk. I’d read Mary had a little before I could finish she would say lamb. His feet were white as, she’d say “snow”. It was so much fun watching her develop a love for learning. Reading to your infants not only helps a child learning ability, it also helps the child bond with the parent. How fitting it is for Tiana to share the loves of books with as many children as she can reach.

Shannon February 3, 2022 at 11:31 am

WOW, I loved this story. Thank you so much for all the resources and tips. I’m going to share this with my family. So important!

Jessica February 3, 2022 at 4:24 pm

Reach Out and Read is such a wonderful program. So many children are benefiting from this program. Keep up the good work. What a blessing for today’s youth. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication.

Sparrow February 4, 2022 at 6:00 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Henry’s assessment on the importance of reading with your child at an early age. I have also read studies that suggest reading to your child while in the womb can have a calming effect on both mother and child.Getting children interested in books as infants has proven beneficial for my children and grandchildren. I recalled to my daughter the other day of how her son was able to recite and identify his alphabet by the time he was one year old, due to reading his favorite book that he and I shared before bedtime. Ms. Henry’s comment of how reading books can strengthen bonds with your children is certainly true, my family can attest to that.My granddaughter has such a love of books, and I know it is due to her being read books from birth. One of her favorite gifts now is a book or gift card to buy a book. She has started her own Library, and she gleefully shares her new books with me when I visit.I was excited to read this blog and learn of this great program that is offered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for children 5 years old and younger! There is no better gift to give a child than a book that will allow their minds to flourish and grow. I agree with Ms. Henry; it’s magical.

Tashae Watkins February 6, 2022 at 9:32 am

I completely agree with you! I started reading to both my sons while I was pregnant, and continued through later in elementary school. Even when they were old enough to read on their own, they still wanted to be read to. That bond and precious time with them was a blessing. It’s very important for parents to start early to help foster that love of reading. I myself have a love of reading as my mother and grandmother did as well, which started by being read to. What an amazing program to gift the love of reading to people of varied income levels, as it enables a parent to help their child with reading skills that are necessary and help shape and mold their lives. Programs such as the ones you help facilitate will help change the entire life and trajectory of a child whose parents may not be able to afford books. More programs such as those you’re involved in are amazing tools for both parents and children.

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