Why is Reading Important for Preschool Children?

Reading to preschoolers develops brain development, introduces new vocabulary, develops concentration and prepares them for school. It is important to begin early and use the right children's books to help children learn and grow.

Have you ever noticed a little kid's eyes glimmer when you open a colourful book?

That moment is more powerful than it seems. The brain is busy when a child sits at a book, be it a simple picture book or a fun activity book for preschoolers. They are acquiring new vocabulary. They are developing their imagination. They are preparing for a great school.

One of the best gifts you can give a young child is reading. And you don't have to wait for them to be able to read independently. Early exposure to books (from age 2, 3 or 4) provides children with a tremendous advantage.

We will be discussing the important role reading plays for preschool children and how to choose the right books for 3 year olds, 4 year olds and beyond.

Why Reading Matters for young children?

Learning letters is not the only thing one does in reading. It's about the whole child's world.

Here are the major reasons why reading is important to preschoolers:

• More words — Children read to daily know more words by age 5.

• Improved listening — Children learn to listen whilst sitting and listening to a story.

• Love of learning — Kids books are fun to learn from.

• Brain training— Story characters and events are remembered.

• Emotional skills — Children learn about emotions through stories such as happy, sad, scared and brave.

• Early reading — children who read early learn more easily in school.

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Best Types of Books for Preschool Children

Not all books are the same. Books have various functions for children. Let's take a look at a simple guide:

Books for 3 Year Olds — What to Look For

Children who are 3 years old are full of energy and curiosity. The best books for 3 year olds are:

• Bright pictures — stay their attention, colorful.

• Short — Simple stories with few words on each page.

• Repetitive — Children enjoy repetition of phrases. It assists them to recall words.

• Relatable — stories about animals, family, food and play are best.

For instance, books on bedtime, animals making sounds and the first day at school. A 3-year-old who hears a familiar story will get the message and learn more rapidly.

For parents: Make use of pictures and ask, "What is this?" or "What color is that? This makes reading a dialogue.

Books for 4 Year Olds — What to Look For

At the age of 4, children are ready for a little more challenge. The best books for 4 year olds are books that:

• Longer, simple stories — A beginning, middle, and end.
• Rhyming words — Rhymes are fun and help train the ear for sounds.
• Characters with feelings — Children this age understand emotions better.
• Some repeated text — So children can try to "read along.

Children can begin to learn to "pretend read" a book to you, and may begin to memorize a book at this age. This is a great sign! It means, they are gaining confidence in reading.

Why Phonics Books for Kids are so Helpful?

Phonics is the ability to match letters with sounds. For example, the letter B makes a "buh" sound. The letters C, A and T represent the sounds that make up the word cat.

Phonics books for kids teach these sounds in a fun, simple way. They use:

• Short words with clear sounds

• Colourful pictures beside each word

• Simple sentences such as "The big red bug sat on a rug.

• Repeated use of the same sounds on numerous pages.

Children who start phonics books early (as young as 3 years) have a good foundation for reading independently by 5 or 6 years.

Preschool Activity Books — Learning Through Play

A preschool book for activities is a bit different from a regular reading book. Rather than reading, the child does something such as:

• Trace letters and numbers

• Color pictures

• Connect dots

• Match shapes

• Solve simple puzzles

• Write their name a number of times.

Ideal for kids who enjoy hands-on activities. They read and do, as young children do.

Activity books also help develop fine motor skills – the small hand movements required for writing in the future. Tracing a letter with a pencil or crayon is the first step toward writing the letter.

Best practice: Use activity books in conjunction with reading books. Read a story about animals and then complete an activity page of the same animals. This will link the two together and help learning to stick.

How to Build a Daily Reading Habit

Reading every day does not have to be hard. Here are some simple tips:

Even 10 minutes a day adds up to over 60 hours of reading in a year. That is a huge advantage for any child.

Conclusion

Reading is one of the most imprtant activities of a young child. It expands their brain, adds to their word bank, and fills their heart with stories and ideas.

Read every page together, whether it's a book for 3 year olds, a book for 4 year olds, a fun phonics book for kids, a colourful preschool activity book or a simple reading book.

Start small. Start today. Just 5 minutes of reading per day can make a difference in a child's life.

Get a book, sit with your little one and start the adventure!