Show me someone who reads and I will tell you how different they are from other people. That is not different for children. A child begins to read at a very early stage in life. Immediately they start speaking; the next skill they acquire is reading. With the teacher’s guidance, they read the writing in books, magazines, and even writing on the blackboard by their teacher.

If a child can’t read, they will have problems handling all subjects; math, science, social studies and such.

The following are the reasons why the child should read.

Acquisition of cognitive abilities

The child’s imagination and creativity are developed through reading. When you expose your child to reading materials, they get to understand a few things about life and begin to dream. 

Again, when the child reads, they gain problem-solving and logical thinking skills.

Improves child’s communication skills

The child acquires communication skills through by interacting with you. They learn how to address people, depending on what they see and hear from those around them. When the child reads, they get to see how characters interact in the book, magazine, or whatever other material, and that develops their communication skills. When you’re reading a book with them, if forms memories that last, and they’re able to apply the skills with your guidance correctly.

Reading makes smarter children.

The more the child reads, the more they learn, and doing this continuously helps them to understand. 

 

Their level of understanding determines their intelligence.

Reading exposes the child to a world they would not experience in the real world. By interacting with imaginary characters in an imaginary world, the child’s reasoning develops, and they have smarter ways of dealing with issues.

Enhances the child’s concentration level

When the child engages in reading comprehension, they become self-disciplined; they’ve a longer attention span and a better memory. This will make their learning in school easy.

How then do you get the child to read?

Make reading materials available.

Research shows that children who become great readers have enough books, magazines, and other learning materials at home—the more reading materials you have, the better for your children. Having a variety of them reduces boredom because they can always choose the ones they feel comfortable with.

Be an example

For a child, it’s easy to follow what they see from the parents or guardians. Therefore if you want your child to read, you must become one yourself. If you love to read, make sure every time you’re doing it in your child’s presence. When they see that you love reading, they’d want to emulate you, and that’s a perfect way of impacting your child.

Be a friend of the library.

As much as possible, be a friend of the library and go there with your child. Where possible, allow them to pick their books as you choose yours. That way, they will become responsible readers. If you know children that have no access to books, you can refer them to children’s books charity organizations like The Ihezie Foundation, founded by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Aloysius Ihezie, in the UK and operating across the UK and Africa to distribute free books to school children.

Reading is acquired at different levels of a child’s growth. The earlier you introduce them to books and other reading materials, the better they become.