Advantages of Reading

Reading with a child is one of the simplest, most powerful things a grown-up can do. It only takes a few minutes a day, and the benefits last a lifetime.

It builds language and vocabulary

Children hear far more rare and varied words in a story than in everyday conversation. Every book adds new words, new sentence patterns, and new ways of expressing ideas.

It grows attention and imagination

Following a story from beginning to end trains a child to sit with an idea, picture what's happening, and wonder what comes next — skills that carry over into school and everyday life.

It strengthens the bond between reader and listener

Sitting close, sharing a page, and talking about the pictures and the plot is quality time that a child remembers. The story matters, but so does who read it to them.

It makes emotions easier to talk about

Stories give children safe examples of characters who are scared, brave, sad, or silly — which makes it easier to talk about their own feelings afterward.

That's the whole idea behind Story Time: give families an easy, free way to read together, often.