It’s true that the digital era has changed the way we read, but that shouldn’t stop us from reading a good old-fashioned paperback or hardcover book.
Reading, especially from Birth to Three, is transformative and crucial. In fact, by the third birthday, a baby needs to be spoken to, sung to, or read to some millions of words. At that age, 70% to 80% of the baby’s cognitive capacity is set, which largely defines the child’s ability to succeed in school and career earning levels.
The power of reading has a lasting impact.
The Brain Science Behind Reading
Engaging in language-rich activities helps little ones develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and literacy. Even the simple act of holding books helps develop school readiness.
Additionally, reading has these positive effects:
- Better recognition of sounds and letters
- Knowledge of a wider range of vocabulary
- Increased listening skills
- A deeper understanding of how stories work
- Help them manage moments of anxiety/stress
- Create a positive association with reading that endures throughout their lives
- Enhance understanding of the world
- Grow curiosity and memory
- Develops their creativity and imagination
In fact, a recent brain scan study found that “reading at home with children from an early age was strongly correlated with brain activation in areas connected with visual imagery and understanding the meaning of language.”
Additionally, according to EarlyMoments.com, along with reading comprehension comes “a stronger self-discipline, longer attention span, and better memory retention, all of which will serve your child well when he/she enters school.”
Reading to your child really puts them on a path to lifelong success.
The Current State of Literacy in the US
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglas
America used to be #1 in Education. Today, it ranks 19th in literacy and 28th in the percentage of 4-year-olds in early childhood education. Further, 1 in 3 children start kindergarten without the needed language skills to be reading-ready.***
Undoubtedly, there is a literacy crisis in the United States. But the great news is that it’s totally preventable. This is where the GIFT CONNECT mission comes into play.
Our society has focused so much on fixing the symptoms instead of the root cause — the underinvestment in the developmental resources for children from birth to age three, a time when most of the cognitive functions of the brain are formed and create a blueprint of well-being for the rest of their lives.
GIFT CONNECT’S mission is to make Birth to Three a policy imperative so that we can improve the lives of children and, ultimately, the health of our society as a whole.
***About two-thirds of children can’t read proficiently by the end of the third grade.
Tips on Reading To Your Child
It’s easy to make reading fun! Plus, you can extend reading to different literacy activities such as singing, word playing, and games. These activities can take place anytime, anywhere!
We also have a great collection of Vroom tips to find new, engaging ways to make reading with your child fun and effective.
We hope you’ll find some inspiration to make reading for your child fund and to instill a life long love of reading!
