Remember those childhood nights, snuggled under the covers, your torch beam dancing across the pages of your favourite book? For many of us, those moments ignited a lifelong love affair with reading. But in our fast-paced world, are we losing touch with this simple, yet powerful tradition? Recent research from HarperCollins UK suggests that fewer than 50% of parents of children under 13 years, now find reading aloud with their children ‘fun’, and less than half of 0-4 year olds are being read to frequently. In Australia, figures range from 22-30% of parents finding their lives too busy to read to their young children each day. As parents, we know life is a whirlwind of demands, and sometimes, quiet moments with a book can feel like a luxury.
But here at FunReads4Kids, I believe in the enduring magic of reading aloud, and there are some truly compelling reasons why it’s more important than ever.
More Than Just Words: The Power of Connection
As a mum to 4 very busy little boys, including twins, I remember the challenge of finding time to read with my children. However, like many things in life, what we prioritise, can usually be squeezed into the cracks. As a paediatric speech pathologist, I also knew it was essential to read with my children – to extend their language and vocabulary, develop their knowledge of different concepts and themes, and most importantly, to build an emotional connection, creating beautiful childhood memories, having fun and a giggle together and even creating a calm, relaxing environment amongst all the chaos.
Child and adolescent psychologist Deirdre Brandner emphasizes that while school teaches the mechanics of reading, home reading serves a different, equally vital purpose: building emotional connection. It’s about that special moment of being together, sharing a story, and creating memories. It sends a clear message to your child: “At the end of a busy day, you are the most important thing.”
Literacy & Beyond: Skills for Life
Reading aloud isn’t just warm fuzzies; it’s a powerful tool for literacy development. It helps build skills like learning the alphabet, rhyming, sound awareness, along with more unconstrained skills that we continue to develop throughout life, such as vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
And here’s another beautiful ripple effect: children who are read to are more likely to become adults who read for pleasure, and in turn, will read to their own children. It’s a legacy of literacy and connection!
Making Time in a ‘Go, Go, Go’ World
I get it – modern parenting is “go, go, go.” With 73% of Aussie parents now both working, finding the time and the energy to read with your children can start to feel like a chore. If your children feel reading is a burden, they will possibly rebel against the notion of sitting with you, especially when screen time is so readily available as an easy alternative. However, never under-estimate the benefits to both you and your child of relaxing with some lovely children’s books at the end of a busy day – they can benefit both of you!
Let’s Rekindle the Flame!
So, as we navigate the demands of modern life, let’s remember the simple yet profound joy and benefits of reading aloud to our children. It’s not just about teaching them to read; it’s about building bonds, fostering a love of learning, and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
