Want to bond with your grandchildren while giving them a head start in life? It may be as easy as picking up a book. Reading to your grandkids is one of the most meaningful ways you can spend your time with them, and the benefits may be even greater than you realize.
Why Story Time Matters
Recent research from HarperCollins made an alarming discovery: many young parents don’t enjoy reading to their kids. Fewer than half of Gen Z parents say that reading aloud to their children is fun for them, and 29% of Gen Z parents think of reading as more of a way to learn about a subject and less of a fun thing to do. Boys appear to be hurt the most by this trend. Only 29% of boys between the ages of 0 and 2 are read to daily, compared to 44% of girls.
If you read to your own children every day, this may be startling. Although children have access to more forms of entertainment because of all the screens and devices they have, books are still important. By taking time to read to your grandkids, you can help them succeed.
Academic Success
According to Ohio State University, a study found that by the time kids start kindergarten, the ones who were read five books a day had heard about 1.4 million more words than the ones who were never read to.
Reading to kids also fosters a love of books and makes reading a habit, and that can give them a huge advantage in school and in life. According to the University of Cambridge, children who read for pleasure perform better on cognitive tests and have better mental health.
Right now, student achievement is falling. The Nation’s Report Card shows that reading scores for 4th and 8th grade students declined by three points between 2019 and 2022 and then by 2 points between 2022 and 2024. The gap between high-performing and low-performing students is also widening. If you want to give your grandkids an advantage, reading to them is one of the simplest things you can do.
Life Lessons
Many books – even children’s picture books – tackle a wide range of social and emotional learning topics. Through books, children can learn how to handle their emotions and interact with others.
According to Psychology Today, reading to children can help them see the world through someone else’s eyes and navigate difficult situations. Adults can increase these benefits by asking children questions about what they’re reading. For example, you can ask why characters did something, how they felt, and what you would do if you were in the character’s position.
Quality Time
Story time is also a great way to bond with your grandkids. You’re not just reading to them; you’re sharing time together and learning about each other. By making a tradition of reading to your grandkids, you can create cherished memories and build a strong relationship.
You can also give the parents a break. While you’re reading to your grandchildren, the parents can take some time for themselves and relax.
How to Embrace Reading Time with Your Grandkids
Reading to your grandkids is one of the easiest ways you can give them a head start in life while forming a strong bond with them. Here are some tips to help you get started.
- Figure out when and where to read. If you frequently watch your grandkids, this part will be easy. Otherwise, you may need to figure out a schedule that works for you, your grandkids and their parents. For example, you could arrange to watch them once a week or once a month. If you can’t meet in person, you can also set up virtual story time using FaceTime or another video call platform.
- Pick out some books. Many kids have their favorite books that they like to read over and over. You can include these favorites while adding new books. Bring some books that you loved as a child, or go to the library or bookstore together and pick out some new titles.
- Make it an event. The goal is not to race through the pages as quickly as possible. Spend some time getting into the story. Do the voices, be expressive, and have fun. Also set aside some time to discuss the story.
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