You know what they say right, that babies and young children are like sponges who soak literally everything they see and hear. So, it’s no wonder that kids can be bilingual even only by learning the language from cartoons. So, it seems more than logical that one of the easiest ways to improve the vocabulary of your children while also improving their language skills is by reading books (instead of watching TV or tablet).
Nowadays, the choice for children books is huge, so it’s not strange that some of the types that enter this toy list are educational toys. Bedtime books, storytelling books, learning sound books, painting books, 3D build and assemble, and board books are some of the many
interesting educational toys kids find interesting. Reading, touching, hearing the sounds and assembling the books will not only help them better understand the words, but they will also try to repeat after you. These books will also help them through their child development process, nurturing the brain and turning them into young, bright and great kids. Once you understand the many benefits of giving these kinds of educational toys kids age-appropriate, the next gifts you’ll be buying for your or someone else’s children would be educational books.
Benefits of Reading to Children
Before enlisting you all the benefits your kid could get from him a book, you should know that patience is key. Not all children are the same and would start listening to you without making a noise. Your little one might even try to chew the book or talk, but you shouldn’t give up since this is something completely new to him/her. Have patience and try to make the reading time as much fun as possible. Now, let’s go back to the benefits your child could obtain from books.
Listening Skills
The first thing you need to know is that all children are different and you can’t expect that your children will just sit and listen to you. This certainly won’t happen, especially if talking about little children. Even experts say that listening is a skill that children must obtain and practice is key. But one thing is certain, and that is the fact that children must acquire the listening skill before they can read themselves. So, don’t be afraid to use silly voices, gesticulations and imitations when reading books. That way, you will make reading more fun and listening easier.
Cognitive and Language Development
Did you know that babies who listen to stories can score higher in language skills and cognitive development? This has been proven and recommended by professionals and pediatricians. According to them and numerous studies, verbal interactions between parents and children like talking and reading can promote higher language skills and even IQ scores up to the age of 14.
Imagination Improvement
It’s no secret that reading and listening make us think, and this is not an exception with children. By reading the books and telling them stories, you will help them have a peek into a whole new world with plenty of new things like bugs, dinosaurs, dolls, babies, aeroplanes and lots of animals. Fiction stories are amazing at this age since you will help them understand the differences between them and that imaging is not forbidden. In fact, it’s great, and that way you will help your little one start thinking outside of the box. Be prepared to hear some fascinating stories of their own since they have a quite vivid imagination.
Social and Emotional Development
It has been said that reading to young children teaches them how to cope with difficult and stressful situations. Books can help them understand that all people experience the same or similar things at some stage in their life and luckily books are here to show us some of these situations. That way, children can learn that their feelings are completely normal and they will better cope with the way they feel.
Vocabulary Improvement
Although obvious, but this is a benefit worth mentioning. Be reading to children, they will meet new and different words that you will be able to explain to them. That way, their vocabulary will improve significantly and they will start using them on a daily basis. By reading a book, you might use some specific names about flowers, animals and objects, and all of them will be soaked by the small but mighty children’s brain.
Bonding
While all of the aforementioned benefits are amazing, the most cherished one is that reading books to your children is a great opportunity for you and your child to bond. In the end, it is better to spend your free time with your child reading and playing than staring at the phone or watching a TV. When reading to them and spending more time with them, you will create a stronger bond, making your kids feel more secure and safe with you.