The Power of Togetherness: The Importance of Reading as a Family

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In our fast-paced modern world, finding quality time to connect with our family members can be challenging. One of the most meaningful and rewarding ways to bond as a family is through the act of reading together. Beyond the enjoyment of a good story, reading as a family has numerous benefits that transcend the pages of a book. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of reading together as a family and how this shared activity can strengthen relationships, foster intellectual growth, and create cherished memories for years to come.

1. Strengthening Family Bonds: Reading together as a family provides a unique opportunity to strengthen bonds between parents, siblings, and even extended family members. Snuggling up with a book fosters a sense of togetherness and reinforces the idea that spending time with loved ones is both enjoyable and valuable. When my son was three, he loved reading anything and everything by Robert Munsch with my husband and I because he could finish certain parts of the books by memory and it excited him to know he "could read."

2. Cultivating a Love for Reading: When children see their parents or older siblings engaging in reading, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards books. Sharing stories and discussing their favourite characters can ignite a lifelong love for reading and learning. Simply ask your kids to tell you what is happening in the book they are reading and see what happens. My kids often see me with a book in my hand and they both know that reading in the sun on the deck with a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) is one of my most favourite hobbies. It's important for kids to see their parents reading from time to time, even if it doesn't happen as often as you'd like.

3. Building Language Skills and Vocabulary: Reading aloud as a family enhances language development in younger children. Hearing varied vocabulary and sentence structures in stories improves language skills, comprehension, and fluency. For older children, family reading sessions can lead to stimulating discussions, enriching their critical thinking abilities. My son willingly reads to my daughter and she absolutely adores him for it.

4. Encouraging Curiosity and Imagination: Reading opens the door to new worlds and ideas, sparking curiosity and igniting the imagination of both children and adults. As a family, diving into captivating stories allows everyone to explore fantasy realms, historical eras, and diverse cultures, broadening perspectives and nurturing creativity. Until this past school year, my daughter (grade 2) would very often say that she hated reading. That was until she found a book series she could finally get excited about: The Baby-Sitters Little Sister Graphic Novels. This summer, she was so excited when she walked into Indigo and found the newest book was released (Book 7). While on the same trip to Indigo, we told the kids they could purchase two books each. My son ended up buying two more books with his own money. I thoroughly enjoy watching the excitement on my children's faces when they find books they want to read. Of course, you don't always have to buy books! Visiting your local library can be just as fun, or more so, and it's FREE.

5. Creating Shared Memories: The joy of reading together creates lasting memories that become treasured family traditions. Whether it's a bedtime story, a rainy day book marathon, or a summer reading challenge, these shared experiences form a special bond unique to your family. Our local library promotes a Summer Reading Challenge that provides kids with a ballot for each book or certain amount of pages read to be entered into a draw for a Nintendo Switch, Lego gift card and other prizes. Implementing a similar challenge at home every now and again can be a fun way to excite your kids about reading more often. I like to do this when I notice the kids opting to pick up their devices over books for a period of time.

6. Fostering Emotional Connection: Books often explore complex emotions and themes, providing opportunities for meaningful discussions with family members. Reading together allows children to express their feelings and thoughts while promoting empathy and emotional learning. Ask your kids questions while reading and listen actively when they are connecting their thoughts and feelings. You may be surprised what you can learn from your kids during these opportunities. Not sure where to begin? You can start by prompting with questions like these:

   • text to self: How does the text relate to you? (ex. "How would you feel if you were this character?"--promotes empathy, "Does anything in this story remind you of anything in your own life?").

   • text to text: How does the text relate to other books, plays, poems, etc. you’ve read? (ex. "Can you think of another book that is similar to this one? How so?").

   • text to world: How does the text relate to events or ideas or situations in the world around you? (ex. "Remember that day when we watched the parade?", "This reminds me of a time when...", "I know about this because...").

7. Teaching Life Lessons: Many books convey valuable life lessons and moral values through their narratives. Reading as a family offers a natural platform to discuss these lessons, enabling parents to impart essential values and ethics to their children in a non-threatening and engaging manner. These conversations are crucial to discuss with your kids. Ask them: "what lesson did you learn from this book?" You may be surprised at how much they actually take away from a story.

8. Nurturing Academic Success: Studies have shown that children who read regularly tend to perform better academically. As an English teacher, I always encourage my students to read at home. Regular reading as a family supports children's language development, comprehension skills, and academic achievement, laying the foundation for future educational success. This applies to every subject from English, to science and even math. Students need to be able to read and comprehend problem solving questions. Incorporating non-fiction expands vocabulary, helps kids build real-world knowledge and connections, and helps to foster critical thinking skills.

Reading together as a family is not just a simple leisure activity; it is a powerful tool that strengthens family bonds, fosters intellectual growth, and instills a love for learning in children. The benefits of this shared experience reach far beyond the books themselves, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for emotional, intellectual, and social development. In a world where many children prefer their tablets and phones, carving out time to read together offers a priceless gift of togetherness and enriches the lives of all family members.