How many of us remember the cozy nights spent reading with our parents? Those bedtime stories created a sense of warmth and safety, letting our imaginations soar. Sadly, fewer children today are experiencing this comfort. Only 41% of parents read to their kids regularly, a drop from 64% in 2012.
Dr. Charletta Dennis, a behavioral health expert at Priority Health, notes that rising screen time and busy lives are the main reasons for this decline. She emphasizes that reading together can strengthen family bonds and boost children’s emotional health. March is Reading Month, a perfect time to remember how valuable reading can be for families.
“Using your time to read with your child is both rewarding and low-cost,” Dr. Dennis says. Local libraries offer a treasure trove of stories just waiting to be discovered. Recently, she co-authored “Frida’s Fireworks,” a book that teaches children about managing emotions with the help of a special facility dog.
Research backs up her points. A study reveals that kids who are read to daily may hear around 1.4 million more words before starting kindergarten than those who don’t. This exposure helps develop a child’s vocabulary and prepares them for school.
Dr. Dennis suggests simple ways to encourage more reading at home:
- Make library trips a fun outing. Let your child pick out books that interest them.
- Set aside screen-free time for reading together at least three times a week.
- Discuss the stories you’ve read. Ask your child what they liked or learned.
Creating these habits can foster a lifelong love of reading. With just a little effort, families can make reading a joyful part of their lives.
For supporting research, you can check the findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
