Reading stories to your kids may seem like just a way to help them fall asleep; however, there is more going on than you may realize. Reading out loud to your kids is an important part of early childhood development and can even help build healthy family dynamics. Use this helpful guide to learn more about why reading to your kids is so important.

3 Reasons to Read to Your Children

1. Build the Foundation for Literacy

Being read to helps children associate the words on the printed page with the exciting stories they hear. This is an essential component for literacy later in life and may foster a lifelong love of reading.

Literacy skills are critical in almost every aspect of life, from scholastic pursuits to the workplace, so reading to your children can equip them for future success.

2. Promote Cognitive Development

The stories you tell your kids can also teach them about the world they live in, especially if you take the time to answer questions. Telling your kids why something in the story happens teaches them about cause and effect, consequences of actions, and the emotions of other people.

As such, the conversations you have with your child about the stories you read are just as important for early childhood development as the books themselves.

3. Provide Emotional Tools

Very young children are still learning to process and explain their feelings. By learning how to identify a character’s emotions in a story, your child will develop a framework for identifying and talking about their own emotions.

Ask your child how they think the characters feel at different points throughout the story. This encourages them to work out what the character is experiencing and relate to those emotions.

Help your child grow with assistance from the early childhood development experts at Lucky Lane Nursery School in St. Louis, MO. This educational center proudly offers an enriching environment for kids throughout Creve Couer, Town and Country, Chesterfield, and Maryland Heights. The preschool program provides children with fun-filled activities that will keep them entertained and help them develop lifelong learning habits. Visit the school online or call (314) 434-4462 to schedule a tour.