Make the most out of reading with your little one

It will probably come as no surprise to hear that reading to children is good for them. What may surprise you though, is just how good.

“There is no better way to help a young child’s brain develop than reading with them,” says Dr. Mike Mercer, a family physician at Allina Health United Family Physicians in St. Paul. 

Dr. Mercer is no stranger to reading with children. In fact, he has been promoting reading with children at his clinic for years through the Reach Out and Read program. At every check-up for children ages 0 through 5, Dr. Mercer gives a brand new children’s book to his young patients, and coaches parents and caregivers on how to make the most out of reading together.

“Reading with children will help them develop language, understand the world around them, think creatively, and broaden their imagination,” Dr. Mercer added.  “Reading with children can be relaxing and bonding and may alleviate anxiety and improve sleep.  I cannot think of another activity that provides so much benefit for so little cost.”

With such powerful benefits, it is no wonder that Dr. Mercer “prescribes” reading to all of his young patients.  But what exactly does this prescription entail?  We’ve put together a list of Dr. Mercer’s top tips to help families enjoy the benefits of reading together.

1)  Have fun. Just because reading is good for your kid doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! In fact, when children are having fun, their brains are more active and better prepared to learn.  Dr. Robert Needlman, pediatrician and co-founder of the Reach Out and Read program, says that “if you both are having a good time, then you know that learning is taking place, and most importantly, your child is learning that books feel good.”

Dr. Mercer notes that parents can use different voices, such as changing volume and pitch, to keep children engaged.  “Consider books that have multiple characters with dialogue, and you can each play a role,” he suggests.

2) Let your child participate and guide. There can be a big difference between reading to and reading with your child. Science tells us that brains learn best when they are interacting and responding, not simply watching.

With the littlest children, this can be as simple as encouraging children to help turn the pages, which not lets them be active participants in the reading but also helps them develop early motor skills.

Dr. Mercer also encourages parents and caregivers to ask children questions while reading.  For young children, you can ask them to find things on the page and point to them, asking questions like “do you see the butterfly?” Older children are ready for questions about the story, such as “what do you think will happen next?”

Sometimes it is the conversations, the snuggles, and the giggles that happen around the book that are more important than the actual words on the page. When you are reading with young children, feel free to break the “rules”.  You can skip around the pages, change the story, or names of the characters, or do anything else that makes reading more fun for you and your little one. 

Another easy way to get children involved in reading is to let your child choose the book. Dr. Mercer recommends that when possible, to have multiple books for your child to choose from. Choosing their preferred book will help your child feel more ownership of the experience and more excited about reading together.

3) Make it a routine. “Shared reading should not be stressful, but rather an anticipated family activity,” says Dr. Mercer. Building a regular reading time into your day will help make it easier to make it a regular habit and can often help with transitions. Dr. Mercer suggests after bathtime or before bedtime. He notes that sometimes reading the same book each night before bedtime can be helpful to establish a regular routine—just be sure it’s a book you both like!

Children can benefit from being read to even after they are able to read on their own, but even when reading independently, children can benefit from a regular routine. Dr. Mercer suggests that families turn off their devices an hour or two before bedtime (yes, that includes parents!), so that everyone has time to wind down and relax.  Children who regularly see their parents and caregivers reading will better understand that reading is something that everyone can enjoy and benefit from.

By making reading a fun and regular part of a daily routine, parents and caregivers can help their children’s brains develop healthily and set them for a lifetime of learning and success.

Did you know that you can get a free book at your child’s routine check-ups? Reach Out and Read Minnesota partners with clinics all across Minnesota to provide books and early developmental guidance for children ages 5 and below. Ask your child’s clinic if they participate in Reach Out and Read, or check out our clinic map here.