The Importance of Reading

By Vivien Aulenbach, Parents' Source, May 20, 2004.

One of the most important gifts a parent or nurturing one can give to a child is to enable and encourage them to love reading! Reading to very young children can be the basis of hooking them onto language, learning, and books for life. What a wonderful habit, what a great priority to set aside a few minutes every day to share some time together - to "read a story". Countless studies have concluded that children who were "read to" as pre-schoolers have larger vocabularies, become better readers, and are more able to understand and follow instructions given by teachers and other adults. Children who are excited by reading and language, have a strong foundation for school success. When children read (or are read to) for fun, they develop a keener imagination and an appreciation for the world around them at the same time. In addition, the quality time spent together enhances the relationship between parent and child, as it helps to promote a positive attitude toward reading. Years later, children and adults will remember books they read together. And, those memories will include many of the emotions shared between the reader and child during their reading time.

Interesting your child in summer reading may seem more difficult, especially if they have not developed a love for reading as a young child, as there are so many more activities to attract a child's interest at that time of the year. Summer reading can (and should) be fun. Yet, it helps the child academically. Many studies suggest that children who continue to read books on "vacation" maintain their reading level, and are better prepared to tackle school work when school begins in September.

Encourage your family to use the summer to just read for fun with no strict requirements. Let them select and read books that interest them - that they will truly enjoy. The Berks and Lancaster County Library Systems have created wonderful Summer Reading Programs for Kids that are presented at each library throughout the counties. Be sure to check with your local library, enroll your children, and have them participate in it. Make it a habit to visit the library each week (or more) to borrow an interesting supply of reading materials. These visits will prove to be some of the most important activities you can share with your family this summer.

Surround your children with books. Encourage individual family members to develop their own "library" where they keep books they have purchased, or have received as gifts. The 25th Book Bonanza (sponsored by the Reading Branch of the American Association of University Women, The Berks County Public Library System and The Friends of the Berks County Public Libraries) will be held July 16, 17 and 18 at the Leesport Farmers Market Banquet Hall. The Book Bonanza provides an excellent opportunity to select children's books and purchase them at bargain prices. With thousands of books for parents and children to "dig" through, it is a real treasure hunt with many rich prizes for all!

Vivien Aulenbach is a retired Children's Librarian of the Reading School District.

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