In a word: Yes!

What would you say if I told you that in the time it takes you to drink that cup of coffee (or can of soda) that you're holding you could be helping your child be part of the top 10% of his class?  It won't come from flashcards or drills, no computer software, either. Just 20 minutes sharing a book.

I'm a parent, too, so I know it can be hard to fit that time in.  But knowing that I am helping my daughter prepare for the long haul of at least 12 years of school, is an investment I can't afford not to make.  We can't wait for our kids to get to preschool or Kindergarten to learn to read. Most of the building blocks of reading happen at home, in those 4 or 5 years before they start school.

Sharing a book with a child helps build their vocabulary and communication skills.  Children who are read to on a daily basis are 1.6 times as likely to be rated by their teachers as being near the top of their kindergarten class in learning skills, and 2.3 times as likely to be near the top of their class in communication skills.  According to the study that published those reports, these relationships hold true regardless of the income of the child's household and the education of the child's mother.

So What Do I Do First?

The most important thing to remember when you are reading with your child, particularly when they are young, that this is a sharing time.  Not every book has to have a very important lesson, and you don't need to point out words.  This is the time for letting your kids hear how language works and how words are put together. If they ask about words, you can read by sliding your finger along with the words.

We often hear that you should ask questions as you read: what do you see in the picture?  What do you think is going to happen next? I admit, sometimes, I'm too tired to explore a book.  I just want to get in that 20 minutes of reading. It happens.  The important part is that reading is a habit. Some days we play with books longer than 20 minutes; some days, it's just a story and we're done. And some days, we miss it completely.  My daughter SEES me reading every day … so even if we don't get to share a story, I'm modeling my expectations.

Helping our children develop this life-critical skill begins with conversations and a commitment to read aloud every day. And that commitment doesn't end when they begin school and learn to read.  It is imperative that we encourage older children to continue to read.  As parents, we must stay attuned to the things that interest them and work hard to help them find reading material that match those interests. Bottom line: we must be strong reading role models who provide both guidance and adequate opportunities and engaging materials.

Where Should I Start?

Start with picking books with characters or themes your kids like.  If they like trucks, get books with trucks.  Odds are, the books with trucks have trains and cars in them, so next time you go to the library, look for books with trains or cars.

I created the Reading Tub® (http://www.thereadingtub.com/index.asp) as a resource to help find great books to share with your child. The website offers book reviews for children from infant to young adult.  We want to help you bring reading home both as a way to remind you that as parents we have a responsibility to teach our kids to read, AND also to help you find books you'll love to share on the couch, before bed, on the porch ... wherever.

It IS Worth It!

With so many ideas on ways to build reading aloud into your routine, there is surely one to fit your lifestyle and busy schedule.  There is no greater reward than reading with your children.  You've carved out that very important time for connecting with your child AND given them the opportunity to excel in whatever they choose to do later in life.  Read every day with your children – you'll be glad you did.