Reading out loud to children has many benefits. Among these are improved vocabulary, the development of empathy, exposure to new concepts and ideas, and better listening comprehension skills.
However, one of the most important benefits of reading out loud to children is also perhaps one of the most overlooked: a strengthened parent-child bond.
Note: While this article focuses on parents reading to their children, reading out loud strengthens any sort of adult-child bond, such as the grandparent-child bond or the teacher-student bond.
Of all the ways to spend quality time with your child, reading out loud is a particularly effective way to build a close and loving relationship. The simple act of sharing a book with a child strengthens the parent-child bond in a number of ways.
Five ways reading out loud strengthens the parent-child bond
First, reading out loud to your child provides an opportunity for quality time. In today's fast-paced world, parents are often busy with work and other obligations, leaving little time for bonding with their children. By setting aside time to read out loud to your child, you are demonstrating your commitment to spending quality time with them. This can help to build trust and a sense of security in your child, knowing that they are valued and loved.
Second, reading out loud to your child provides an opportunity for rich conversation to occur. As you read through a story together, you can pause to ask your child questions, discuss the plot, and explore new vocabulary. This can help to build communication skills and encourage your child to express their thoughts and opinions. It can also help to strengthen your relationship by providing a safe and supportive space for your child to share their ideas and feelings.
Third, sharing a book with your child provides an opportunity for physical closeness. As you sit together and read, you can cuddle, hold hands, or simply enjoy being close to one another. This physical closeness can help to build a sense of intimacy and connection, which is essential for building strong relationships.
Fourth, reading out loud help children to develop their emotional intelligence. As you read through stories together, you can discuss choices made by characters in the story and explore the range of emotions experienced by characters. This can help your child to develop empathy, compassion, and an understanding of different perspectives. By discussing these choices and emotions, you are building a deeper connection with your child and helping them to develop important social and emotional skills.
Finally, reading out loud to your child can help to create lasting memories. As you read through stories together, you are creating a shared experience that you can both look back on with fondness. These memories can strengthen your relationship and provide a source of comfort and support for your child as they grow older.
In conclusion, reading a book out loud is a simple but powerful activity that has numerous benefits for both you and your child. By setting aside time for this activity, you are demonstrating your commitment to spending quality time with your child, building trust and a sense of security, and strengthening your relationship.
So if you haven't already, make reading out loud to your child a regular part of your routine. You'll be amazed at the positive impact it can have on your relationship and your child's overall well-being.
Get a high-quality children's book delivered to your door each month
At Brick Based Learning, we support strong parent-child bonds by sending monthly kits that include a high-quality, recently published, hard cover children's picture book to your door each month.
And not only do we provide you with a beautiful book that you will love sharing with your child, we give you tools to really bring that book to life in ways your child will go crazy for!
Each kit contains:
- One high-quality children's picture book
- Assorted LEGO bricks
- LEGO brick building challenges related to the story
- An extra surprise activity (or sometimes two!)
Plus, every book comes with access to more than 100 pages of digital downloads to extend the fun and learning.
Ready to strengthen your bond with your child? Subscribe to Brick Based Learning today and get started on a wonderful adventure!