It’s World Book Day on March 5th. Reading has so many benefits. It benefits their language, cognitive and social development and encourages emotional connection between them. Here are several ideas and reasons why it’s so important to read together:
It fosters closeness
When you read with your child, it’s likely a moment you offer your full attention. Furthermore, you are “snuggling” together, creating intimacy and connection.
It can be soothing, helping your child to regulate
Did you know that reading together can encourage soothing? Reading calms, especially when they may be fretful, worried and restless.
It promotes communication
It enhances and promotes communication between you. Books teach your child about relationships, situations and personalities. Hence, an opportune moment to reflect and work through possible conflicts between them and others. It’s excellent to act out the problems in the book.
It promotes being present in your parenting.
I loved reading with my children and felt very in the moment. I felt the cuddling and eye contact that arise are as important, if not more important, than the words themselves. ” Presence” means being with and reflecting emotions on your child. While reading, we often learn about a range of emotions, even empathy.
Helps in transitions
Many children suffer transition difficulties, even when your child returns from a non-resident’s parents’ home or vice versa. These are the most vulnerable and essential times of the day to connect with your child. Reading can act as a bridge to help them feel secure as they are about to return from a separation.
How to make it effective
So much parenting is repetitive that it’s hard not to make reading a story a chore every night. Neuroscientist Erin Clabough, in her post in Psychology Today, reports:
- Read with your kids, not just to them.
- Let them develop their adventures.
Clabough suggests embracing dramatic pauses and interrupting the story at appropriate moments to encourage your children to put themselves into the characters’ minds. Let them sort through the conflict before the characters do. There are many variations and opportunities to place themselves in someone else’s shoes, hence learning empathy.
In Conclusion
Sadly, according to this recent Guardian article, children read less frequently than before. However, sharing books will always be a way to be present with your children, promoting closeness and providing them with emotional security for life.
