The Girl Under The Bed Chapter 2: Winter Underland, a twilight fanfic - FanFiction.Net

The Girl Under The Bed Chapter 2: Winter Underland, a twilight fanfic - FanFiction.Net

According to a study by the American Medical Association, a large number of doctors believe that a child who has never had the experience of being read to is not fully healthy. In fact, many doctors prescribe reading to children (“Why Read Aloud with Children?”). Early literacy is a vitally important, but often overlooked, practice. Not only does it help the child develop and get smarter, but it establishes early social bonds between child and caretaker. Therefore, reading aloud to young children is very important, as it helps the child build developmental skills, increase their intelligence by learning about a variety of topics, and fulfill social needs.

Studies have shown that reading aloud to children actually increases their intelligence. Even though young children may not always understand what is being read to them, they can listen, which stimulates growth in a baby’s brain. According to Kathy Balch, ninety percent of human brain development takes place in the first five years of life (Balsch). “So much of the intelligence children will ultimately have is developed before they even get to kindergarten. When you read to them, you are building pathways in their brains needed for successful reading experiences” (Gisler and Eberts). This goes to show that reading makes children measurably smarter, and more able to take advantages of educational opportunities later on in life than children who were never read to (“Value of Reading Engagement for Children”). Being read to is also a great way for kids to learn to read on their own, and good preparation for formal reading instruction in school (Gisler and Eberts).

Academic benefits aside, sharing the experience of reading with a child helps build a bond between the child and caretaker. “Children’s self-esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them” (“Why Read Aloud with Children?”) In a 1987 study, Dr. Polly Berends found that reading with someone can even provide children with a feeling of “love, emotional security, friendship, and guidance.” (Lippman, 18-19).