The Importance of Reading to Children

I can't emphasize enough the importance of reading to children.

Other than "adventure walks," reading to my children has made more memories than anything else that I have done with them.

My older children still (fondly) remember to this day, all of us snuggling up in bed as we read our latest, great book.

But other than great memories, what good does it do to read out aloud? Well...a lot of things.

• them a head start and improves their language skills.
• Increases their vocabulary
• Improves their imagination
• Improves their creativity
• Teaches them proper grammar
• Teaches them sentence structure
• Teaches your child to better express himself
• Improves listening skills
• Prepares your children to read
• Instills a love of reading and good books
• Encourages your children to become readers
• It expands your child's horizon and introduces them to new experiences and places
• Forms lasting bonds with your children

As you can see, all of the above show you the importance of reading to children.

I began reading to my children when they were babies, starting out with "board" books. You know, the thick cardboad books that babies can't destroy (or at least not that easily).

These books are great ways to introduce colors, shapes, animals, rhyme and rhythm to your babies.

As they got older, I read a lot of nursery rhymes and Bible stories to them. Choose a Mother Goose nursery rhyme book that has pretty pictures. By doing this, you'll be exposing them to great art work too.

I continued reading to my kids until they were twelve years old. As a matter of fact, my 14 year old still likes me to read to him. At this point, I require my kids to be reading books on their own - at least one chapter per day in addition to their Bible reading and their regular schoolwork.

I feel that this encourages lots of reading practice. Reading is one of the most important things you can teach your children so do everything you can to encourage it.

Now that you know the importance of reading to children, below are some lists to get you started. The high school level lists are for the kids to be reading to themselves but, if you want...keep reading to them. Have one book that you are reading and have one book that they are required to read themselves.

It's a great way to communicate with your teenagers. When you are both reading a great book, it gives you extra things to talk about. It also gives you some "jumping off" points to discuss life issues with your kids that you can use as teaching moments.

The Caldecott and Newberry lists are more for younger children.

Caldecott Medal and Honor Winners - 1938 to Present

Newberry Medal & Honor Books - 1938 to Present

• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Preschool
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Kindergarten
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - First Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Second Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Third Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Fourth Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Fifth Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Sixth Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Seventh Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Eight Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Ninth Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Tenth Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Eleventh Grade
• Reading Lists by Grade Level - Twelveth Grade

All of the books in the above lists are good books. So remember the importance of reading to children and start working on this list!