The importance of reading for the little ones has been widely studied by psychologists, pedagogues, educators and experts. Let’s see together, in a little more depth, the topic
The importance of reading is the basis of education. Knowing how to read allows access to work, services and society itself. Having said that, it is therefore easy to understand how essential it can be child literacy, both in the social and cognitive fields. Every child needs basic skills to have access to various opportunities. It has been estimated that allowing children from lower-income countries to study would result in a 12% reduction in world poverty.
The European Commission | The importance of reading
The European Commission established a Literacy Expert Group in 2011 and funded theEuropean Literacy Policy Network which has outlined a real one European declaration on child literacy as an inalienable right. One of the fundamental requirements for putting this right into practice comes from the family.
In fact, the first form of education takes place in the family. Here they are encouraged to develop language and early literacy skills from birth. Therefore, the reading of books is very important.
Reading to children for cognitive and social development | The importance of reading
Babies are born with a strange predisposition toI listen. From birth, but for many also in the womb, they have an innate sensitivity to intonation and voice, especially the maternal one. This is why reading can become an excellent means of teaching and education.
It is clear that an early experience of this kind is in no way linked to an attempt to teach the child to read but serves to enrich the child’s experience. It stimulates him from a point of view relational, emotional, cognitive and linguistic.
Reading to infants in the first place predisposes them to having a positive attitude towards learning or culture more generally. It also trains the mind, stimulates listening and observation. Second Maria Montessori, pedagogist and educator, reading is fundamental to the imagination as long as stories of everyday life. This allows the child to identify with and better understand everyday life.
Children’s books are varied and help the little one to imagine and try to solve various problems. Reading to children consequently develops the problem solving.
On the cognitive plane reading develops a new knowledge and understanding of the other, enhances logical and abstract skills. On the linguistic plane develops and stimulates language, enriches vocabulary and lexicon. Furthermore, from the social point of view, it has been shown that children who were read to in preschool do better in school, fitting in more easily. Culturally speaking, the transmission of stories through reading is a passing of values and traditions from one generation to another.
Age groups, different readings
0-6 months: the child does not have optimal vision. They are, therefore, preferable books with color contrasts and large figures. It is important for the mother to read ad high you so that the child can hear his voice, favoring a positive transfer of emotions.
6-12 months: the child’s vision improves, perfect time to propose more centered and manageable booklets. Books that move, talk or sing are useful as they are attracted to movement.
1-2 years: the child is beginning to explore the world, takes the first steps, pronounces the first words. At this stage use the book as an object, which can also be explored, and therefore the use of booklets with windows and animals is recommended. Starting from the year and a half, short and simple stories can be proposed.
From 2 to 3 years old: after two years the book begins to be a real one learning tool. Listening is more aware but continues to appreciate onomatopoeic books or books with animals as protagonists. The child is autonomous, it may happen that the adult correct or ask him to read only some parts. He is opposed to the story if something does not go as he would like. In this period it is important to read stories of emotions, books to get to know yourself and others.
From 3 to 6 years old: the child is attracted to characters with feelings humans who help him overcome obstacles and fears. It is therefore clear that, from an emotional point of view, reading allows him to give a name, a meaning to the emotions he feels. It prepares him for difficulties, fears, helps him develop creativity, imagination, thinking and subsequent organization.
A child used to reading will be a more responsible adult
It is easy to understand how reading can make a child live a thousand lives. It leads him to ask himself the reason for certain choices and to understand more emotions that were previously unknown. We adults have the duty to educate the little ones. An adult who understands the importance of reading and reads aloud to a child performs a great act of love. We don’t stop loving.
For today this little lesson ends here, see you in the next article in which we will deepen another small piece of reading. Now I can’t help but ask you: do you read to your children?