As Joseph Addison correctly put it, “Reading is to mind what exercise is to body”. You might say what good reading will do in this age of competitive academics? But research suggests that reading storybooks not only helps in academics, but also helps in grooming the personality, increasing social knowledge, and fostering language skills (1). Reading habit is also a great hobby that enriches life in more ways than one. What a toddler will learn through reading is likely not to be taught in school, and this makes reading more fun. Reading habits in toddlers are therefore vital in shaping the youth of tomorrow.
To foster reading habits in toddlers, you will first need to know about its benefits. Only then you can encourage your toddler to read books instead of watching smartphones as a mode of relaxation. Here is a complete guide for you on the benefits of reading books and the top 10 tips to encourage reading habits in toddlers. So let’s start!
In This Article
Benefits of Early Reading Habit in Toddlers
Teaching your toddler to read early and making it a regular habit has multiple benefits. Not only will reading impact every aspect of their life, but it will also boost their academics. After all, it is reading that holds the key to all formal education.
Below are some of the many advantages of inculcating early reading habits in your toddler:
1. Reading Helps in Brain Development
According to Harvard University, the first eight years of a kid’s life are very vital for the brain and they learn faster and more rapidly in these years (2). Approximately 100 billion brain cells or neurons are active when a baby is born, and each of these can produce about 20,000 different dendrites or connections that can store information (3). However, this is done only when the right stimulation is provided to them. By inculcating reading skills early in life, the functioning of the entire brain is positively influenced.
2. Reading Helps in Academic Success
Early reading habits foster increased attention span and concentration. It is also through reading, that one can comprehend the concepts of other subjects. Because toddlers have a love for reading, they will be inspired to learn more and more, and this will make them score higher grades. Increased vocabulary and comprehension skills will enable them to pick up on minute details and this will benefit them in academics to a large extent (4).
3. Reading Boosts Creativity And Imagination
A toddler who has grown up reading from an early age will develop imagination and creativity (5). Reading will promote discipline, moral values, maturity, and a sense of self-confidence in toddlers. Their curious minds will expand, and they will question things and find answers. A kid who reads joyfully at home will feel confident and independent. Reading at home also helps develop a loving parent-child relationship.
4. Reading Promotes Awareness
It is through reading that toddlers come to know people and things around them. Reading opens doors to all subjects and makes the toddler aware of the world. They will feel enriched with knowledge. This will boost their self-confidence as well.
However, with apparent declining reading habits in GenNext kids, it’s common for parents to worry about their toddlers. You must try to inculcate reading habits as early as possible in your little one. Even if your kid seems too young to understand, they can comprehend short sentences spoken to them. Below are a few tips to raise a toddler with healthy reading habits.
10 Tips to Encourage Reading Habit in Toddlers
Toddlers cannot read by themselves, but they would love the pictures and would notice your lips moving when you read to them. Reading to them will introduce them to the magical world of books, and give them a friend for life.
1. Establish a Reading Routine
Believe it or not, kids adjust very well to the routine. Although you can read anytime to your toddler, whenever they feel or you are free, anticipation prepares them and keeps them organized too.
2. Make Reading Fun
It is not necessary for your toddler to sit still for the reading activity. Your toddler may want to move around while listening to you. Let them do it, they may come back and sit with you, upon hearing a certain word or sound. Try not to associate any negatives with reading.
3. Be Dramatic
Bring out your hidden talent, and act out the story. Try to engage as many senses as you can, during the reading. For instance, you may even sprinkle a few drops of water on your toddler while enacting a rainy scene. Be expressive and accordingly, modify the pitch and tone of your voice. You may sound sad or excited, imitate the voice of an evil king or a damsel in distress. And soon you will find your kid following suit, repeating words and sounds.
4. Use Picture Books
There are wonderful books in the market and in libraries that contain 3D images that pop up when you turn the page. Lo! The 3D image of the entire kingdom lies in front of your toddler’s eyes and this will simply mesmerize them. It’s OK if they simply want to discuss the image or point things at it. Slowly, they will associate it with the story.
5. Introduce Variety
There are a variety of books available for toddlers. You may select from songs, rhymes, alphabets, and storybooks. Take cues from what your toddler likes. These days, there are even sticker books available that tell a story, and engage the kid into participating by pasting stickers in the blank spaces provided inside the story. By introducing a variety of books to your toddler, you will help increase their vocabulary and knowledge.
6. Don’t Force Reading Habit
Some kids do not love reading as much as others. Give your toddler a break, read very short stories, and gradually increase the reading sessions.
7. Talk to Your Toddler
Make reading interactive. Use your toddler’s name instead of the character’s name, making it more appealing for them. Speak to your toddler about the story in short and clear sentences. You can ask questions about the story, such as, “What will happen to the prince now?” These will encourage their thinking abilities.
8. Be a Role Model
Kids learn most of the things through imitation in their early years (6). You must practice what you preach. Demonstrate that you indulge in reading and enjoy it too. This will positively influence the reading habits of your toddler.
9. Extend Reading Experiences
Just like the movie, Baby’s Day Out, when you read a story about hens and ducklings, you may take your toddler to the farm and make them familiar with these animals. Similarly, when enacting hare and tortoise, schedule a visit to the zoo.
10. Apply Reading in Daily Life
Let your toddler identify words and story characters (such as animals) in real life. For example, if they read a story about cows or other such animals, you can ask them to show you cows when you step out next. Encourage them to identify things in real life, with what they read in their stories. Knowing they have correctly identified these, will positively encourage them to read more.
In addition to the above, make sure that the reading books are within your toddler’s reach. During their playtime, they may simply flip through the books, turning pages, pointing at words and making sounds or even labeling them. It is very common for a toddler to demand and read the same storybook again and again. Don’t get mad at them about this, you will be surprised to hear them completing sentences for you and imitating sounds with you. This is a healthy reading milestone! Here’s to encouraging early reading habits in your toddler.
FAQ’s
1. At What Age do Toddlers Start Reading?
The reading ability of toddlers can vary. Their exposure to different books and cognitive ability will shape their reading capacity. Toddlers may not be able to read initially but parents can initiate their reading capacity by reading books to them. By the age of 3 years, your toddler can usually read the alphabet and numbers.
2. How do I Prepare my Toddler For Reading?
You can prepare your toddler for reading by reading books in front of them. You can buy them books with different numbers, alphabets, animals and vegetables, and birds. Colorful storybooks with vivid illustrations will also help your toddler to read by increasing their curiosity.
3. How Can I Get My Toddler to Read More?
To help your toddler read more, you will need to find out what excites your toddler the most. If your toddler loves animals, give them a book full of pictures and names of animals. If the toddler loves to play with cars, give them a vehicle book and you will see how much they will love to read it again and again.
References
- Children’s literature to promote students’ global development and wellbeing – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7036210/]
- Brain Architecture
– [https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture/] - The Development and Shaping of the Brain – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234146/]
- Nipun Bharat – [https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/nipun_bharat_eng1.pdf]
- The development of imitation in infancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865075/
