The Power of Reading to Your Child
In the spring of 2024, my youngest daughter reached a milestone that had been years in the making. She completed our public library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KBBK) program.
Seeing her hold up the library’s celebratory “I read 1000 Books” sign is one of those moments that still brings me an endless amount of joy and pride, years later. The dividends of that time investment with her are still paying. Those small, daily choices, to sit down at bedtime and read to her from day one are something I will never regret. Yes, I even brought board books to the hospital.
This child came home from the hospital in a Harry Potter themed onesie that had Hermione Granger’s famous quote emblazoned across the front, “When in doubt, go to the library.” As a librarian, and self-professed book nerd, it was almost a requirement that I began reading to her from day one.
Looking back through photos of that day and seeing the huge smile on her little face reminded me of something important. Reading with your child isn’t just about gaining literacy skills. It’s about connection, curiosity, and the irreplaceable joy of spending time together.
What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
1000 Books Before Kindergarten or 1KBBK is an early literacy initiative adopted by libraries all across the United States. Their mission is to “promote reading to newborns, infants and toddlers to encourage parent and child bonding through reading.”
It’s a simple, but powerful mission.
The goal of reading 1,000 books is arbitrary. It’s really about building habits, fostering a love of reading, and bonding through quality time spent together.
I have two daughters, and I wish I had known about the 1KBBK program when my oldest was toddling around. She reads, but often treats it as a challenge. She’s focused on the number of minutes, pages, or books read, rather than the intrinsic enjoyment of reading. That says more about my parental learning curve than anything else. I can’t go back and change how much we read together when she was little, but I do let her see me reading, let her read to her little sister and hope that, as she progresses towards adulthood, reading becomes something she enjoys, simply because.
With my youngest, the experience has been different. She gets genuinely upset if we miss a bedtime story. Reading together is a bedtime ritual we both enjoy. I don’t know if her childhood curiosity for reading will carry over into adulthood, but the foundation for that to happen has been laid.
The Joy in the Journey
One of my proudest “this 1KBBK thing is working” moments came when my daughter attended her first book fair at school. I wasn’t there, but the teacher told my wife and I that she ran past the toys and trinkets and went straight for the books.
Having our reading efforts affirmed by someone outside the family meant a lot. A culminating moment of our nights spent reading together.
Reading together isn’t about creating a little bookworm. It’s about time. Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Time: how brief and fleeting your allotment of it.” I want my brief allotment of time to be spent well. In my experience, those toddler lap cuddles only last for a short window of time.
Children grow.
She doesn’t always want a bedtime story now. Gone are the days of reading Moo, Baa, La, La, La by Sandra Boynton on repeat. We still read, we have our old favorites like, Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr., but it often feels like a bedtime delay tactic on her part, than a genuine desire to read.
No matter the motivation, we still read. It’s too important not to.
The Benefits of Reading With Your Child
Reading to your child isn’t just about creating memories; it’s foundational to their brain development. Studies show that language exposure through stories, songs, and conversation build vital neural pathways in a young child’s mind. Children who are read to regularly are more likely to succeed academically because they read earlier, write sooner, and have a better understanding of the world around them.
Creating an environment rich in language through daily exposure to nursery rhymes, songs, and books sets children on a path to success.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency. Whether you read the same book 1,000 times, or 1,000 different books, the effect is the same. Visiting your local public library together, in order to explore the nearly-endless supply of books, expands that experience while being gentle on your wallet.
Why You Should Read to Your Child
If you have an infant, toddler, or preschooler, I can’t recommend programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten enough. Reading with your child isn’t just about gaining literacy skills. It’s about connection, curiosity, and the irreplaceable joy of spending time together. It’s simple, free, and one of the most meaningful ways to invest your time with someone you love.
What’s the most memorable book you’ve read with your child or had read to you as a child? I’d love to hear your stories via email.
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