Grow Up Strong -- Read with Your Child on a Daily Basis
For a child, learning to read opens the door to an exciting world of information and learning. Not only is it necessary for success in school, but also throughout adult life.
Starting when your child is very young, make reading part of every day.
- Read together, and spend time talking about the stories, pictures, and words.
- Share conversations with your child. Kids learn words more easily when they hear them spoken often, so introduce new and interesting words at every opportunity.
- Stay informed. Monitor your child's progress in reading by speaking with his or her teacher.
- Visit the library often to listen to stories and presentations, access computers, and get homework help.
Engaging in these activities will go a long way toward helping your child become a successful reader and learner. And having strong reading skills builds self-confidence and motivates your child to set high goals. Reading also helps your child stay mentally active throughout his or her life, which may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease down the road.
On the other hand, the long-term negative impact of poor reading skills is enormous. Without adequate reading skills, your child faces a continuing cycle of frustration and failure, which erodes self-esteem and confidence. Poor self-esteem often leads to depression and substance abuse in adulthood.
RealAge Projection: If children develop an appreciation for learning when they're young, they're likely to maintain a hunger for knowledge as they get older. If they do, when they turn 40, they'll be more like 37.
