Books play an essential role in the development of literacy skills in young children. Many parents think those skills don’t begin to develop until kindergarten, when children start learning their letters. But reading aloud to your child can help build those skills while supporting other areas of development you may not have considered.
So what does that look like? Let’s explore the many ways storytime at home can support your child’s development, even as early as infancy.
Supports Language Development
You may have noticed that babies love to be talked to. Why else would parents have adopted the beloved language of baby talk when connecting with their little ones? Goo goo, gaa gaa never fails to earn a smile. With that in mind, it’s only logical that babies would delight in stories about castles, oceans, or adventures told by someone they love.
The more you read aloud to your baby, the more opportunities they have to hear unfamiliar words, which helps build their vocabulary. As they grow older, they will begin to ask questions and engage more during storytime. This gives you the opportunity to expand on the experience and encourage your child to join in conversation about the book, what they like, what they don’t like, what they think will happen next, and more. Storytime discussion is a wonderful way to practice language skills and strengthen comprehension.
Inspires Imagination and Creativity
Have you ever been in a meeting where you felt like the speaker would rather be anywhere but there? They read their notes line by line, finish their speech, and then bolt out the door. We may all be guilty of becoming that monotone storyteller with our kids from time to time. Don’t fret, you never knew until now just how much read-alouds can inspire children’s imagination!
When your child chooses a book, ask them how they think each character speaks, then read the story using those voices. Change your tone to match the scene and invite them to play a part in the story. Children become more engaged when the adventure they hear about comes to life through excitement and joy. And really, isn’t that true for adults too?
Nurtures Social & Emotional Growth
Any time spent with your child is time well spent, and storytime is no different. From Saturday morning fairytales to Tuesday night journeys to the moon, read-alouds create opportunities for connections, conversations, and cuddles. As children hear new and familiar stories, they are introduced to different emotions, challenges, and perspectives. They begin to better identify their own feelings, practice problem-solving, and develop an awareness of others.
So, when your little one begs for “just one more book” before bedtime, remember that every story is doing more than just making them sleepy. You are helping build important skills they’ll use in the future while spending meaningful moments together.
Now that you’re a read-aloud pro, take those newly polished skills into your child’s classroom. Reach out to your child’s teacher and ask to join the class for their next storytime, or volunteer to read a book yourself. Your child will be proud to share their favorite storyteller with their friends!
