Benefit of Bedtime Reading

“The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.”

-The National Commission on Reading

The importance of reading to your baby can’t be overstated. Scientists have shown that the brain grows more between birth and age 5 than it does in the following 80 years. By the time your child is 3, over 85% of the brain’s core structure is completely developed. Your child’s mental framework is being rapidly built these first few years and the more exposure they have to reading, the better.

Some parents believe that there is no point in reading to their baby until they can talk, but according to the National Research Council, “Just as a child develops language skills long before being able to speak, a child also develops literacy skills long before being able to read.” Making reading a part of your nightly bedtime routine not only introduces your baby to literature, it also enhances their exposure to vocabulary. A study in 1991 on early vocabulary development showed that babies whose mothers spoke frequently to them had over 200 more words in their vocabulary by age 3 than babies whose mothers rarely spoke to them. Even at 2 years of age, toddlers who have been read to regularly have greater cognitive skills, vocabulary, and language comprehension than children who have not.

Aside from the known cognitive benefits, the act of holding your child while reading aloud enhances bonding and teaches them to practice patience and active listening. And while amassing a library may be cost prohibitive for some, utilizing resources like public libraries, garage sales, or asking for books or gift cards to bookstores for birthdays can help you develop a rich collection for your little one.

By Hannah Mira, Founder of Bonsoir Bebe Sleep Consulting