Exposure to diverse vocabulary helps children express their own feelings and thoughts more clearly.
Reading about diverse characters allows children to "practice" social interactions and understand different perspectives.
Reading to children from a young age does more than just prepare them for school. It creates a "word-rich" environment that stimulates brain development.
Tonight, put down the phone. Pick up Where the Wild Things Are or The Tale of Peter Rabbit . Let the child sit in the crook of your arm. Turn the pages slowly. As Max said, “Let the wild rumpus start.”
Stories allow kids to explore "scary" or complex emotions—like loss, anger, or fear—from the safety of a parent's lap.
The use of rhyme or repetition makes the text predictable and fun to read aloud.
