Why Are Books Important? Early Reading Benefits.

Early Reading Benefits

Why are books important and what are the many benefits of early reading?  During the early years, children learn at a rapid pace and are easily impressionable.  Here we will discuss the numerous benefits of reading to our children!

Children are just like growing chrysanthemums. Nourishing their development nudges them one step closer to being happy, healthy, confident human beings.

First, they mumble words. Then, they grab onto the banana we just peeled with a very strong hold. And not long after, they tell us that the clouds they see in the car resemble a dragon or a cat! 

That is a moment that really takes them in. The cells in the brain have grown and sparked numerous connections: now their imagination has taken off. 

In their wonderful minds, they are thinking “This cloud looks like a cat lying in the sun. I see it. I can see it!”

Their imagination has flourished and they want to feed it. 

They will grab onto the trees and pretend they’re monkeys. They will move with their legs wrapped around the tree and they will howl (even though the monkeys don’t howl). 

They become fantastic characters of a story for that hour in the afternoon. 

How do they know the story? Why do they giggle while pretending to be talking animals? 

Because they learn about the characters from us. We tell them the stories. We read them the books that light up their intellectual and emotional world.

Early Reading Benefits

Why are books important?

The Gift of Knowledge

A child’s mind is just like a sponge. They mimic and assimilate the pieces of the world around them. They learn from other people, from experiences, and from books. 

But, those pages are the gentlest way to introduce them to the rest of the world. 

Books simulate new environments and when we read to children, they listen.  

A book is a forest of knowledge freely passed on. 

Even when the child is dozing off, they listen. Everything is kept safe and transformed into a guide that leads them to dreamland.

The Gift of Imagination

What a beautiful thing to have a child-like wonder and an open, kind heart. 

I’ve never met a child that didn’t create fish while playing in the water or transform the couch pillow into a horse while they were a knight. 

Imagination is not just a beautiful word. It’s a necessity. It’s a stage of processing. 

To be able to construct their own worlds is a skill. It fills children with the confidence and the freedom to exist as characters and as storytellers in any world they can dream. 

They learn they have the ability to IMAGINE. 

Understanding Sequence of Events

As they hear us narrate stories, they know what follows on the next page. The next part of the story. 

If the fairy didn’t catch her friends yet, she will on the next page. If the horse is beginning a trip, he will be running on the next page. 

Everything has a sequence. And we change our tone of voice based on the event.

Now they are understanding that we need to mix the ingredients before we put that cake to bake in the oven, not before!

Observation Techniques 

The more we read them stories, the more they develop. Children observe and respond to questions. 

Who was wearing green? What animal do you see? What are they eating? 

Through observation they learn from the story. They practice their abilities: naming colors, shapes, and animals. They predict what will happen next. They identify the emotions of the characters.

All of this is integrated into their developing minds.

Understanding Time and Space Concepts

Just as they will learn in school, we can also help them learn about what it means to be in different spaces at different times. 

The world they know is very small. They know themselves and their family, not about the changes of time and space.

With books, we ease them into concepts such as top, away, close, and behind. A great example is the way bunnies hop. They are up in the air for a second and then down again.

Why are books important?

Familiarity

They become acquainted with the book. The little object that will be the tool to lead them to learn in both school and in life. 

Welcome back,” the books say, “let me take you on an adventure. Let me show you how the frog fell into the river again and pouted with a mouth full of water.”

Little Storytellers

They learn from us. From how we say the words and describe events to them. They learn that stories exist – and they can repeat them and make them their own. 

How did their day go at school? What was it like to go fishing with grandpa? Or how did they like the new oranges growing in the garden? 

They tell their stories. And now we listen.

They Learn Right From Wrong

They put themselves in the story and practice their moral codes. They learn about bad and good. 

We raise good children. We soothe the soul and mold beautiful human beings when we read them stories.

Empathy 

As children read (or are read to), they learn to identify and relate to the emotions the characters are feeling.  This will give them greater empathy and emotional intelligence.  They will have an improved ability to relate to their peers. 

the importance of reading to children

A Book is Kindness

It’s an act that can form trust between a child and a parent, an aunt, or the beloved grandparents.

It is a warm act to read them a book. They always end up asking for one more story. One more hour with their grandma.

Joy and Giggling

The pure joy of happiness and amusement. It’s one of their favorite activities, isn’t it? You won’t hear a child say no to storytime. They feel utter happiness when they get to know new characters. Or even reread the same books. 

Foster a Love for Reading

With the books, children learn to read, as well. They don’t read the same words as us. But who can doubt their skills when they recite a story with even greater imagination?

They read the pictures and make up their own words from what they heard us say earlier.

Expand Their Vocabulary

The more we read to children, the more words they are exposed to.  As they read the words and come to understand their meaning and use, they will develop a greater vocabulary.  

They will develop the ability to articulate their thoughts and have greater language communication skills.  Building skills to succeed in life.  

Raising Intelligent, Smart Cookies

With strong language skills and a love for reading they will be better prepared to excel academically.  

Confidence

How many times after I’d read stories to children, they would grab the book and mimic me? They would read to their stuffed animals or other children with a confident voice. Each picture from their book is worth three sentences. 

We must encourage them to speak, to have a voice, and to use it. Children must be proud to speak their sentences because their stories are worth being heard.

Final Word

If you give your child the gift of reading, you have given them the gift to go anywhere, to be anyone.  You have gifted them a lifelong love of learning.  

Comment below and tell us why you love reading to children.

Like what you read? Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our latest blog posts!

You may also enjoy:

Earth Day: How To Inspire a Love for Mother Earth in Children

Creative Spring Break Learning Activities For Children

6 thoughts on “Why Are Books Important? Early Reading Benefits.”

  1. I second all of this. I love spending family time by reading books with my husband and baby boy. It’s something we did while he was still in the womb and we love watching him enjoy hearing the stories. ❤️

  2. This is so true. We read to our boys when they were little, and encouraged them to read all kinds of books growing up, now they are teenagers and they have continued to love reading! Is the gift that keeps giving!

  3. I love this explanation of all of the wonderful benefits of reading. I particularly loved the way you described the gift of imagination–so true!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top