Science Has Proven That Reading The Same Books To Your Child Repeatedly Makes Them More Intelligent

Nov 19, 2018 by apost team

You may be surprised to learn that each time your little one chooses that same, tried-and-true storybook for you to read to them at bedtime, you'll actually be improving their chances of academic achievement later in life? You read that right. Reading the same books over and over to your child can actually help them become more intelligent!

Though you may grow weary of repeating the exact same words so many times you have to book practically memorized, take heart. What you're doing during those few moments each evening during these fleeting years of early childhood could end up making a huge difference in your child's life in years to come.

What it boils down to is the impact such repetition can have on a child's ability to retain and understand vocabulary. Vocabulary comprehension is one of the keys to academic success.

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As you converse with your child and build a habit of reading out loud to them before bed, you're giving them the gift of exposure to words they may never learn otherwise. Quality children's books can make vocabulary acquisition both exciting and attainable for your young child's mind.

Preschoolers are naturally curious and enjoy being introduced to new concepts. What better time to take advantage of that natural thirst for learning than right now?

As kids progress to the kindergarten level, they'll grow in their understanding of phonics. But when they sound out new words, it helps their reading ability tremendously if they can understand the words they're sounding out.

That's where reading to your preschool child in order to lay that foundational framework comes into the picture. The more you read to your young child before kindergarten, the more likely they are to be able to grasp the meaning of the words they're being instructed to read.

It's like giving them a head start at learning how to read for themselves!

Another area where reading to your child during their earliest years can make a difference academically is the realm of test taking. Developing good test-taking skills is directly linked to reading comprehension.

If your child is already ahead of the game when it comes to understanding vocabulary, they'll be well on their way to becoming a great test taker.

So don't despair or protest when you're asked to read "Goodnight Moon" for the umpteenth night in a row. That repetition is giving your child a stronger grasp of vital skills they'll need in years to come.

If you're looking for some ways to make bedtime reading more beneficial for your child, here are some ideas:

Go over the meanings of unfamiliar words.

If you run across a word you think may be new to your child, take the time to stop and explain what the term means. Use examples your child can relate to in your explanations. For example, if the book uses the word "crimson," point to something red and tell them, "Crimson is another word that means red."

The next time you read the book stop when you get to that word. Ask if they remember what the word means. If they don't, patiently explain the term again. If they do remember, be sure to give them plenty of praise for expanding their vocabulary.

Ask thoughtful questions to improve comprehension and asses how well your child is doing in this vital area.

Your questions can revolve around the plot of the story, character development, or the underlying concepts and morals being taught by the story. Vary your line of questioning up when you're reading the same book over and over. This will teach your young child to look for different layers of meaning in the same book.

Ask your child to point out small details in the pictures on each page.

When it comes to children's literature, the illustrations are a crucial part of the story that's being told. By asking them to look for different items in the pictures, you'll keep your child from zoning out during the thousandth reading of their favorite book. Keeping both your child and yourself from getting overly comfortable with a familiar story will remind them that it's important to pay attention and be observant in order to get the most out of our reading time.

Not only is this nightly reading and discussion ritual an important component of early learning, but it's also a bonding time for you and your child. Laughing, conversing, and interacting together in this meaningful way will help your child feel closer to you emotionally.

Do you agree that reading familiar stories out loud to your kids each evening is a positive way to help lay the foundation for future academic success? We'd love to read your thoughts in the comments! If you think reading to kids is important, pass this story along to your friends and family.