Why should you read to your child?

One of the huge problems teachers face in today's classrooms is their students reading skills.  A child's foundation for reading begins at birth.  That may sound crazy to some of you but, it is true.  We use expressive and receptive language to communicate.  Expressive language is any communication that you produce and receptive language is communication that you take in.  Expressive and receptive communication is crucial for good readers.  Babies begin to express themselves the minute they begin to cry.  Receptive language is developed all the time as they listen to the things in their environment.  Children are exposed to many things such as music, talking, television and being read to that all play a roll in their language development.  The better a child's vocabulary, the better readers they will become.

Reading to children of all ages is very important to their language development and in developing their love of books.  Even the youngest of babies benefit from being read to.  Dr. Jean Feldman's Ready to Read video gives her thoughts on getting your child ready to read.  The video is about seven and a half minutes long an packed full of information for parents and teachers alike. 

The Reading is Fundamental site has some great brochures to help you get children excited about reading.  If you can help you get your child excited about books, you have given them a head start on becoming a great reader.