Are you looking for ways to bring your family closer together? A few minutes of quality time sharing a story is a great place to start. Spend time together reading a book. It improves communication, emotional processing, and strengthens bonds. Reading also nurtures the imagination and fosters strong academic performance.
Kids Love to Spend Time Together, Reading
Ever wonder what’s going on inside the mind of a child? It’s a special place where reality and boundless imagination are intertwined. Their thoughts are like stepping stones carried by curiosity and shaped by wonder. But it’s only open for a limited time. Recent research reveals that from the ages of 3-10, a child’s mind is twice as active as an adult's.
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This period of rapid brain development lays the foundation for learning and growth, and literacy is the first stone to put down along that path. Reading to children, often referred to as shared reading or interactive reading, has been shown to positively affect a child’s cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. It’s not just about the stories; it’s about the connection, the questions, and the emotions shared.
The Power of Shared Reading in Early Literacy
It doesn't take much to make a difference. Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are nearly twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less frequently.
Reading is the cornerstone of literacy, given its fundamental role in language development and cognitive growth. It connects spoken language with written communication, creating a solid foundation for understanding, expressing, and interpreting information. It works on building blocks, like this:
Phonemic Awareness
Vocabulary Expansion
Grammar and Sentence Structure
Comprehension Skills
Print Awareness
Fluency
Imagination and Creativity
Parents want children who are happy, healthy, and able to become independent thinkers. Even when your child is not quite old enough to read alone, shared reading is perhaps the greatest fuel to feed developing young minds.
Spending Time Together Supports Emotional and Social Development
Reading with your children could set them up for lifelong success, as indicated in a study that tracked individuals from preschool into their mid-30s found that those with higher social-emotional skills had better health, higher incomes, and fewer criminal records.
It's now proven that interactive reading during early childhood does help shape healthier emotional and social development.
Stories offer glimpses into characters’ thoughts and emotions, allowing children to see the world from different viewpoints. When children read about a character's challenges and triumphs, they begin to imagine how they would feel in similar situations. As kids follow a character’s journey, they develop the ability to predict how certain actions or choices might affect outcomes and relationships. In essence, reading helps nurture emotional intelligence and encourage social skills by exploring characters’ emotions and interactions.
Fostering the Parent-Child Bonding and Interaction with Reading
When my kids were little, it was so hard for my adult brain to engage in imaginative play. I just didn’t have what it took to make Barbie fly a jet with enthusiasm. Reading books to the kids was my “in” for imagination. We could give characters certain voices, always make a lion RAWR, and portray frustration or worry in a recognizable tone!
Infusing reading sessions with interactivity allows parents to create a dynamic space for connection, exploration, growth, and, most importantly, laughter. The moments spent reading become cherished memories for both parents and children, helping to create a sense of closeness. Reading together also fosters open communication where kids can share their thoughts in a calm environment with undivided attention. Here are some tips to help make reading more reciprocal:
Ask open-ended questions. “How would you have solved the problem?”
Discuss characters’ emotions and make them relatable. “Have you ever felt like that?”
Act out what the character is experiencing. If they’re sad, express it through facial expressions and body posture.
Use sound effects to complement the story. If there’s a thunderstorm, mimic the sound of a big boom!
If the story includes rhymes, read it in a sing-song tone with them.
Overcome Common Challenges
We get it. Busy schedules can make it hard to find the time to sit down and read to your kids. When you have to juggle work, household responsibilities, and all of the other commitments, time seems to go at light speed. You're not alone if you feel like you’re not getting enough shared reading time. An entire half of the parent population struggles to get in a daily read with their kids.
I never got my copy of “The Complete Guide to Being a Perfect Parent,” so perfection has never been my aim (just ask my 14-year-old). It turns out that’s okay! Research has found that even six minutes of reading daily can boost brain activity and set kids up for a brighter future. We all share some common challenges, though.
Competition in the Digital Era
Digital devices and media vie for everyone’s attention these days. It’s hard to compete with YouTube on a tablet when you’re holding an ancient relic like a paper book—balance screen time with reading time. Create a screen-free zone during specific times of the day. You can also introduce digital media that supports reading, like interactive e-books or educational apps.
Just Not Interested
Raise your hand if you’ve heard, “I just don’t enjoy reading.” Sometimes kids show resistance to reading, preferring other activities instead. The trick here is to hone in on your kids’ interests. Back in 2010, it was estimated that more than 129 million unique books existed, with another 2.2 million being created each year. That’s as frustrating as standing in front of the pantry on grocery day and hearing, “there’s nothing to eat.” There’s plenty to choose from.
Challenges with Literacy
Children with reading difficulties or learning disabilities may find reading sessions frustrating, discouraging, and they may avoid reading altogether. That’s valid! Be patient and create a supportive environment. Choose books that align with your child’s current reading level instead of age or someone else’s expectations. You can also consider audiobooks alongside printed media allowing children to enjoy stories while improving their listening comprehension and vocabulary skills. All forward momentum is progress!
Different Types of Books to Explore with Your Family
Reading levels can vary widely within each age range. It’s best to consider your children’s individual interests, maturity, and reading ability when selecting books. Here’s a general breakdown of the types of books and some common (but not absolute) age recommendations:
Board Books (Ages 0-2): Board books are generally read to babies and toddlers. They feature sturdy pages that can withstand rough handling. They focus on simple concepts, colors, shapes, and basic stories. Check out “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown or “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.
Picture Books (Ages 2-6): Picture books have rich illustrations and are often read aloud to children. They include various topics, from imaginative stories to emotions, friendships, and family lessons. Here are some recommended titles: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle or “Trout’s Great Big Outdoor Adventure” by Marissa Snider.
Early Readers (Ages 4-8): Early readers are designed to help young children practice reading independently. They feature simple sentences, repetition, and large fonts. You can’t go wrong with the “Fly Guy” series by Tedd Arnold or “Frog and Toad” by Arnold Lobel.
Chapter Books (Ages 6-10): Chapter books are longer and more complex, with chapters that allow more intricate stories and character development. They’re suitable for emerging readers, and kids might find these titles tempting: the “Junie B. Jones” series by Barbara Park, the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney, or the “Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne.
Middle-Grade Books (Ages 8-12): Middle-grade books are aimed at tweens and bridge the gap between chapter books and young adult literature. They often explore themes of friendship, identity, and coming of age. Recommended titles include the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan, the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling, and “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate.
Ozarks Family Travel loves helping families discover special places to create lasting memories with loved ones. Reading is another way to spend more time exploring something new together to create unbreakable family bonds. For other ideas to help inspire more time together, check out these ideas.