By now you have probably seen a billboard, magazine spread, or social media campaign saying that all parents should read to children for 15 minutes a day. There is ample research to suggest that the more reading aloud in the household, the more exposure children have to new vocabulary. Reading together also demonstrates that you feel reading is important ("do what I do, not what I say"). Reading together helps with brain development, communication skills, bonding, and empathy. What's not to love?
I do recommend that parents and caregivers read to children for all the reason's I've mentioned above, but I always leave off the "15 minutes a day" part. Why?
1. The time requirement makes reading seem like a chore.
A minimum time requirement, no matter how short, has the psychological effect of making what should be an enjoyable experience into something to be endured.
2. Daily recommendations often lead to failure, stress, or guilt.
What happens if you miss a day? Have you done irreparable harm to your child? Of course not! Yet some would use this part of the recommendation as an excuse to quit trying altogether, the same way that diets and exercise regimens are completely abandoned every day.
3. It's easy to be distracted by the numbers.
Put the clock away, and stop doing the math to figure out how many words your child is hearing on a daily basis. Let the researchers run the numbers. As long as you are finding time to read together regularly (sometimes several books, sometimes only one), the numbers become irrelevant.
A raucous 5-minute reading of a family favorite may do more good than 15 minutes of reading a book that either party clearly detests.
4. All books are not created equal.
Some will argue that for children who get no reading, just about any book is better than none. I agree, for the most part. However, if reading becomes a forced experience, it could kill a child's interest entirely. The "15 minute" rule is a Public Service Announcement, a recommendation that would benefit the population as a whole if only everyone followed it. However, the vast majority of people who will take this rule to heart are already conscientious parents. Among this group of people are those who will twist the recommendation into an excuse to read books they feel are "good for" children, regardless of interest level. Whether it be Bible stories, classics, award-winners, or cautionary tales, there is no book or story that is absolutely better than others. Books and stories need to be matched to the child and the parent.
By all means, read to children. Read often!
Make it into an experience that works for everyone. If it isn't enjoyable, then perhaps you need to change your approach. Find new books to read. Add reading to a new part of your day (breakfast?). Enlist the help of another member of the family. Treat reading like a normal part of life, like eating or getting dressed. Above all else, smile and have fun.
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