In addition to the spoken language skills gained, listeners will also gain skills for writing. When reading to young children, you may not be thinking about their high school and college skills. However, long before they are composing stories and writing papers, children are packing their brains with language. This is the reservoir from which they will draw as they begin to write on their own. Andrew Pudewa of the Institute for Excellence in Writing says that in order to be able to have an output of quality written works, children need to have an input of quality language. They will not gain this from ordinary conversation – even well spoken people do not speak in the kind of language used for writing. Neither will this rich language come from TV or music. It must be poured into these young learners another way.
Quality language will come from quality literature. Start children out with read aloud picture books that you all enjoy and they will develop a love of being read to. As they grow, continue reading out loud. Even after they can read to themselves, choose books a bit above their independent level and keep reading aloud.
The adage “In grades 1-3 you learn to read. Grades 4 and up you read to learn.” is very true. A child’s ability to communicate well will be a large indicator of their success in school and work. You are growing a communicator! Keep on reading!!