In the realm of child development, reading is recognized as a foundational pillar of education. While many parents instinctively read to their children long before they can read on their own, pediatrician Dr. Emily Thornton highlights the urgent need to start this practice at an incredibly young age.
During an episode of Oprah’s OWN network series “The Hero Effect,” Dr. Thornton articulated that early reading experiences can significantly shape a child’s future. “If children aren’t prepared by the time they reach kindergarten, they’re unlikely to achieve grade-level proficiency by the third grade,” she explains. “And if they don’t reach that milestone, the repercussions can lead to issues like school truancy and even dropping out.”
This underscores the necessity for parents to begin reading to their infants right from birth. Dr. Thornton advocates for a proactive approach: “I envision a scenario where every child receives a book at each well-child visit to motivate parents to engage in reading early on.”
Reading not only fosters a bond between parent and child, but it also plays a critical role in cognitive development. “Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five,” she states. “If we delay until they start school, it’s simply too late.”
As a parent, I cherish the moments spent reading to my children, a practice my partner and I have embraced since our kids were born. However, there are times—especially after a long day when our six-year-old is particularly restless—when skipping the bedtime story seems like a tempting shortcut to a faster bedtime routine.
Thanks to insights from Dr. Thornton, I realize that if my son struggles in school, it might be because I chose to forgo “Harry Potter” for a quiet evening with a drink. There is certainly a relationship between literacy and school dropout rates, yet I understand that reading to a child won’t solve every educational challenge. Busy single parents or those juggling multiple jobs might find it difficult to maintain a nightly reading routine. We shouldn’t instill fear about future failures but perhaps a bit of urgency is warranted.
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In summary, initiating a reading habit early in a child’s life is crucial for their educational success. By engaging in this enriching practice, parents can lay a strong foundation for their children’s future learning experiences.