Released December 19, 2008
BATON ROUGE, La. – A wise New Year’s resolution for parents is to talk more to their young children by reading aloud to them, according to LSU AgCenter family and child development expert Rebecca White.
Researchers have found that the more parents talk during a child’s first three years of life, the more the child’s vocabulary and IQ improve. The children also become more prepared for school. Additionally, the more parents speak encouraging words, the better the children become.
Books can be a means of talk, according to White.
“Committing to and developing the habit of reading every day can go a long way in helping your child be more successful in life,” the child expert said.
Children benefit when parents take them in their arms, cuddle them and talk to them through the magic of books. Reading aloud strengthens parent-child bonds. Books are a natural way to expose children to new words and positive conversation. They guide children to more complex thinking, and they help children discover new thoughts and ideas.
“Children who have lots of books read to them are more likely to develop an enhanced vocabulary and IQ by the time they enter school,” White said. Also, children’s books are usually encouraging and positive.
“When parents use a greater proportion of words that are affirming, approving and encouraging, it makes a vast difference for their child’s future,” the child expert noted.
Reading is a purposeful way parents can increase their child’s exposure to words. White recommends daily reading. A simple way to incorporate daily reading is by reading a book each night at the youngster’s bedtime.
Reading a short book also is a great way to help a child “wind down” and prepare to sleep. Let this become a daily routine for you and your baby, White advises. Over time, this will become a favorite time for your and your child.
“Parents make the big difference in the success of their children – more than school teachers do, more than early child caregivers do,” White said, adding, “Daily reading is one way parents can really help their children have a great future.”
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http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/news/holidays/New+Years+resolution++talk+more.htm
Contacts: Rebecca White, at (225) 578-3921or bwhite@agcenter.lsu.edu
Mark Claesgens, at (225) 578-2939 or mclaesgens@agcenter.lsu.edu
