The Timeless Value of Reading to Your Children
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the simple act of reading a bedtime story to your child might seem like just another task on a parent’s endless to-do list. However, this age-old tradition carries profound implications that extend far beyond those quiet moments before sleep. Melissa Tigges, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Cottage Door Press, emphasizes a startling fact that many parents may not realize: “By age three, 85% of brain development is complete.” This means that the window for establishing crucial neural pathways and foundations for learning begins closing much earlier than many of us imagine. Waiting until formal education begins to introduce children to the world of books and reading simply comes too late. The early years represent a critical period that, once passed, cannot be recaptured—making those bedtime stories not just sweet memories in the making, but essential building blocks for your child’s future success.
The benefits of early reading extend far beyond academic achievement, though that alone would be reason enough to establish the habit. Children who are read to from birth encounter approximately one million more words than their peers who aren’t exposed to regular reading—a vocabulary advantage that pays dividends throughout their educational journey. But the advantages don’t stop at word count. Early reading nurtures creativity and imagination, allowing children to visualize stories and concepts before they can read independently. This mental exercise strengthens cognitive pathways that will serve them in problem-solving, empathy development, and abstract thinking. Research consistently shows that early readers typically experience greater academic success, improved mental health outcomes, and even longer life expectancy. In essence, when you open a book with your child, you’re not just sharing a story—you’re quite literally opening doors to their future wellbeing across multiple dimensions of health and success.
The urgency of fostering strong reading habits has never been greater. The latest Nation’s Report Card has sounded an alarm that should concern every parent and educator: reading proficiency among students has plummeted to historically low levels. This troubling trend coincides with the rise of ubiquitous screens, shortened attention spans, and a marked decline in engagement with longer-form content. Tigges notes a particularly concerning pattern: “The amount of people reading aloud to their kids and kids reading for pleasure has dropped substantially.” This creates a dangerous cycle—as children read less, their proficiency decreases, making reading less enjoyable and further reducing their motivation to engage with books. The statistics tell a sobering story about the direction we’re heading, but they also illuminate the opportunity for parents to make a meaningful difference through intentional reading practices at home.
Creating lifelong readers begins with the earliest interactions between parents and infants. Tigges recommends starting the reading journey literally from birth, understanding that these first experiences are less about comprehension and more about exposure to language patterns, emotional connection, and establishing positive associations with books. “The first couple of years, it’s just more about engaging with them and reading to them so that they can hear this language,” she explains. As children grow into toddlerhood and preschool years, around ages three and four, parents can begin nurturing independence by providing level-appropriate books and allowing children to exercise choice in their reading material. Library visits become valuable opportunities for children to explore their interests and develop agency in their reading journey. These early positive experiences with books lay the groundwork for children to view reading not as a chore or assignment but as a source of pleasure and discovery—an association that will serve them well throughout their educational career and beyond.
As children enter the school years, the competition for their attention intensifies dramatically. Digital devices with their constant stimulation and instant gratification present a formidable challenge to the relatively slower pleasure of reading. Many parents find themselves in an uphill battle against screens, but Tigges offers a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the reality of raising children in the digital age: “There are ways to use technology in a way that is beneficial. These kids are part of this more technologically advanced generation. We have to kind of meet them where they’re at and find tools that help bridge the gap between the old and the new.” This balanced approach recognizes that not all screen time is created equal. Interactive e-books, educational reading apps, and digital libraries can actually support literacy development when used thoughtfully. The goal isn’t necessarily to eliminate technology but to ensure it complements rather than replaces traditional reading experiences—finding that sweet spot where digital tools enhance rather than detract from literacy development.
Perhaps the most powerful strategy for raising children who love to read isn’t found in any particular technique or program but in what parents model in their own lives. Children are keen observers of adult behavior, naturally emulating what they see valued in their home environment. Tigges emphasizes this crucial point: parents must be readers themselves if they hope to raise readers. This doesn’t mean parents need to consume weighty classics or academic tomes—the specific content matters less than the visible priority placed on reading. Magazines, novels, non-fiction, newspapers, even cookbooks count as modeling reading behavior. Tigges offers particularly liberating advice for parents concerned about what constitutes “good” reading material for their children: “Not worrying so much about what they’re reading, just that they are reading.” This wisdom removes the pressure of perfectionism and acknowledges that developing a love for reading often begins with materials that simply engage a child’s interest—whether that’s graphic novels, sports statistics, or fantasy adventures. The child who reads for pleasure today, regardless of content, is building the neural pathways and habits that will enable them to tackle more complex material tomorrow. In the journey to raise readers, enthusiasm trumps prestige every time.
