With the right tools and support, reading books can be an effective way to support children.

Reading to children and ensuring that children continue to read during this crisis may sound like an overly simple solution, but it would be an error to think so. The science of reading reminds us that when children read or are read to frequently, children continue learning and preserve skills learned prior to the crisis.

The benefits of reading are numerous:

Reading influences children’s vocabulary and language development. Vocabulary development by age 3 has been found to predict reading achievement by third grade. Vocabulary development comes from rich interaction between children and their parents or caregivers. Dialogic reading is key and parents who read, tell stories, or sing songs tend to develop larger vocabularies and become better readers.** While overwhelming evidence exists from child development, the reaped benefits of frequent reading continues throughout primary schools.

Reading is the foundation for future learning. Low achievement in reading in early primary grades has important long-term consequences. These consequences touch all aspects of life including earning potential, competitiveness, and productivity. How a child is reading by third grade is a strong predictor of future academic success and achievement later in high school.*** As children grow, they are often read to less in both the home and classroom. This is a missed opportunity for growth as vocabulary used in books often surpasses vocabulary used in everyday conversation.

Access to books is the first gateway to reading.

(by Wendy Smith from worldreader.org)