Reading is Essential to a Child's Development

I have always been a book worm. My poor eyesight could attest to that, perhaps. As a young girl, aside from my textbooks, the books that I borrowed from the library were my source of joy.

My mother would always remind me to stay in the room with the good lighting, because I had my nose always buried between the pages of a book. I started with the Nancy Drew books. Then I just adored the tales from different Asian countries. I loved those stories rich with history and culture. As a teen, of course, I got thrilled with the series of Sweet Dreams pocket books, until I matured and found out how good John Grisham's works were. I never got stuck with one author, nor with one theme, so to speak. I enjoyed the poetic style of Coelho, the romantic style of Segal, and the ability of Og Mandino to connect with his readers.

I am as thrilled when I noticed that my son is also a lover of books. I guess it helped that I introduced him early to books and to learn to love reading. Although he had toys, I would encourage friends to give him books as gifts for his birthday or for Christmas. Even before he was two years old, he was able to collect a lot of reading materials already. By the time he was two, I noticed that he would prefer asking a grown-up to read to him to watching TV. Now that he is 8 years old, it would be difficult to make him put down his chapter books. Just like his mother, the library is heaven to him. He would never mind to spend even three hours inside the public library.

Which makes me wonder, what does reading really do to a person, especially to a young child?

When a parent reads to a child, a special bond is formed. My son used to beg his granny to read with him a pile of books so she would not leave his side, instead of her doing her chores. For him, it is quality time that he finds in reading with an adult. Now, although it is a requirement from his teacher that he has to read aloud to an adult, we both appreciate this activity. We both like the stories that he reads. I get to have fun with him, and we share our thoughts about the stories.

Public libraries have story time sessions. I know that many parents bring their toddlers to these venues because it is a very good venue for learning for the children, and helps develop the social skills of these youngsters. The children sit next to each other and learn to behave and listen, and then interact when asked to. I believe that it is good preparation for the kids for a structured learning venue, like pre-school.

To hold and turn the pages of books for these young children is also an opportunity for physical development. They use their motor skills in turning the pages, and utilize hand and eye coordination as well. Reading stimulates the brain and allows them to explore the use of their senses.

Language is enhanced and developed through reading. My son's vocabulary was developed mostly because of the books that he and his granny read every day. From the parts of the body, to the moon and the stars, different fruits and vegetables, to the meaning of "thank you" and "please". Studies show that when children are exposed to an early age to reading, they are more prone to grasp variances in phonics which greatly affects their language skills and cognitive abilities.

My son's teacher informed me that she finds pleasure in answering my son every time he would catch a new word in a selection they are reading, and then asks for its definition. She said that big words always catches his attention. I have noticed that he has developed the habit of checking out the dictionary for words that interest and puzzle him.

The more children are read to, the more their interest in mastering it grows. My son reads to me aloud, and therefor learns proper grammar and phrasing. If needed, I correct his pronunciation, especially if words are new to him.

Furthermore, reading can allow discovery of new things and enrich a child's life. Apart from going to the library, if it is a good book that my son desired, we try to buy it for him. Even before he went to kindergarten, he knew the different systems of the body. Because of this, he begged me to buy him a mini-skeleton that he and his dad built. He has learned to love science because of his first books about the moon and solar system. Reading has helped him realize his strong inclination in science that he even wishes to become a vulcanologist someday.

It is interesting that he wants to see what he has been reading. He has been exposed to the different states of the country, so he wishes to travel and see the things that make these places famous. Since he was in 2nd grade, he has been begging us to see Mt. Rushmore. This just shows that reading has allowed him to learn about people, places, and cultures.

Now he is into some books that have scary and adventure themes. Reading these books allow him to to also use his imagination yet learn how to distinguish reality from fiction. Reading allows young children like him to puzzle mysteries ahead, draw their own conclusions and learn values from meaningful stories.

Reading is not just a hobby. It is a skill that everyone has to nurture and master. It becomes an important part in a person's development, education and growth.