Why is Reading so Important for Children?

Reading is a vital aspect of a child’s learning journey; it’s one of the first skills they develop when they start in Reception class, and it plays a crucial role across all subjects, not just English. While it’s an important part of their education, reading can also be a source of entertainment or relaxation for children, so it’s worth encouraging your youngster to pick up the habit. After all, it’s a far more beneficial use of their time than spending hours in front of a digital screen. If you’re not convinced, I have teamed up with a pre prep school in London to explore the advantages of reading in further detail. 

One of the biggest benefits of reading, which is something we often take for granted, is that it’s fantastic for increasing general knowledge. The more your child reads, the more they will learn about various different historical events, places and landmarks around the world, in addition to different cultural traditions. Furthermore, reading books, news articles, magazines or any other type of written text will help your child develop a wider vocabulary. This, in turn, will help them with both their written and verbal communication skills. By having a broader understanding of the world around them, as well as a strong understanding of countless words and phrases, your child will likely notice an improvement in their overall academic performance, which will help them when the time comes to apply to jobs and/or universities.  

Reading will also help your child with their ability to concentrate on something for long periods of time; after all, practise makes perfect. Being able to focus is paramount in school, especially during exam periods when your child will have to spend a lot of time revising. Research involving MRI scans, has actually found that reading can strengthen the brain and improve cognitive function, which is certainly worth looking into.

If your child doesn’t seem to be interested in reading, they may just need a little push from you. Perhaps you could suggest that you start a family book club, to make it more of a social activity. Let your child pick their own books because if you choose on their behalf and they don’t enjoy what you’re selecting, they will soon come to hate reading. Of course, you can always ask your child’s teachers for some age-appropriate options or if you simply require some additional advice on how to encourage your child to read.