“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss
The Astor proudly recognizes March as National Reading Month. This time of year is perfect to highlight the critical role of reading in early childhood development, and onto lifelong learning. Research shows that early literacy is foundational to academic achievement and personal growth. At The Astor, we are dedicated to encouraging a love of reading in young learners. This blog will cover the impact and key benefits of early reading, why we celebrate, and our commitment to literacy.
The Impact of Early Reading
It is widespread that early reading can make a significant impact on a child’s academic future. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children who are read to in infancy and preschool years display stronger language skills and stronger interest in reading than their counterparts, by the time they start school. An older report by the National Commission on Reading states “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”
The simple act of reading to your child, or volunteering to read to others, can be strong enough to break barriers. Early reading has been shown to supersede socioeconomic status as an indicator for academic success. The University College of London reports,
“Reading for pleasure was found to be more important for children’s cognitive development between ages 10 and 16 than their parents’ level of education. The combined effect on children’s progress of reading books often, going to the library regularly and reading newspapers at 16 was four times greater than the advantage children gained from having a parent with a degree” (UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, 2013).
Reading in early childhood sets children apart academically. It can even act as a stepstool to accelerate success, when socioeconomic factors may otherwise shackle them.
What Are the Key Benefits of Reading to Children?
Language Development: Accelerated vocabulary acquisition and improved sentence structure and comprehension are benefits of early reading.
Cognitive Skills: Reading enhances concentration and memory. A study published in the Journal of Cognition and Development writes that picture books contain parallel dimensions of learning. In fact, the study conducted by Breitfeld, Potter, and Lew-Williams showed that picture books enhanced the comprehension of moral lessons within a story. They go on to say,
“Contrary to evidence suggesting that picture books induce high cognitive load, children did not appear to find it challenging to engage in many different types of learning from shared reading; instead, children demonstrated the ability to flexibly consider multiple dimensions of the picture book simultaneously” (Breitfeld, Elise et al. 2021).
Emotional and Social Growth: Books are excellent tools for helping children understand and manage emotions. The National Association of Education for Young Children informs educators on proven techniques in the classroom. In an article titled “Teaching Emotional Intelligence in Early Childhood,” the researchers suggest reading as a tool to provide children with the vocabulary to put words to their feelings. They write that aloud reading is an ideal method for teaching children to express their feelings and relate those feelings to classroom themes and day-to-day interactions.
Dr. Seuss’s Enduring Influence
Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904. March has been named National Reading Month in his honor. He has since captivated children and adults alike with his whimsical stories, unique characters, and heartwarming rhymes. His books such as “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” have entertained, as well as delivered valuable lessons about persistence, diversity, and the importance of an open mind. Dr. Suess has many good lines to share with friends, family, students, teachers as encouragement. He wrote “you have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” At The Astor, we encourage our children to take this to heart – that they can be anything they want. Books can not only provide children with a method of exploring what they want to be, but the practice of early literacy can also allow them to attain it.
Celebrating Reading
Reading is essential, fundamental, and magical! Emphasizing it during National Reading Month has numerous advantages:
Academic Preparedness: Early literacy is a strong predictor of future academic success across all subjects, not just English (National Institute for Early Education Research, 2006).
Lifelong Skills: The National Literacy Trust published a summary of research titled: Reading for Pleasure: A Research Overview in which they attribute to reading an increase in “general knowledge, better understanding of other cultures, community participation, and a greater insight into human nature and decision-making.”
Cultural Awareness: Reading broadens perspectives, promoting empathy and culture understanding by introducing readers to new ideas and different ways of life.
Our Commitment to Literacy at The Astor
At The Astor, our STEAM-Plus curriculum integrates literacy with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to provide a well-rounded education. We celebrate reading by:
- Providing a diverse array of books that reflect various cultures and perspectives.
- Engaging families in community reading events and challenges.
- Training our staff in the latest literacy development techniques to support every child’s unique learning style.
Practical Application
What are you supposed to do with all of this information? Read! Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to read a book or two to your child before bed or naptime. Reading can help to emotionally regulate children by offering a calming activity, distraction-free time with a parent or caregiver, and a creative diversion.
We invite you to join us in promoting the joy and importance of reading! Engage with your child in exploring new books, revisit old favorites, and discover together the endless possibilities that reading can bring. Volunteer for a literacy program in your local library or in your child’s classroom! Need ideas on what to read? You can start by reading our blog, The Astor’s Top Picks for Children’s Books. Let’s read, learn, and grow together this month and every month.
Interested in joining our community? Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour, or apply for your little one today!