When I reflect on the years when my children were little, my favorite part of the day was bedtime when we snuggled up and read our favorite stories. I always let my children pick out the story and particularly when they were little, they would pick the same story over and over. I have saved these books with hopes that they will one day read them to their children, or I will get to read them to my grandchildren.

Have you ever wondered why young children seek comfort by reading the same story? Young children instinctively seek out familiarity rather than novelty. Repeated exposure to the same thing helps to cement the new information in their growing brains and encode it permanently. Rereading is essential for children to get ready to learn to read. Repeated reading and repetition lead to mastery, predictability, and a sense of confidence. Repeating picture book reading boosts comprehension and help children understand the story at a much deeper level.

Developing a love of reading begins early. As the weather gets colder, enjoy those cozy times together reading with your precious little ones. These are cherished moments that you and your children will remember always!

Importance of reading | Young Readers Foundation

The 100 Best Children's Books of All Time

There are several components as to why reading is important for life and school success, Read More Here…

• Reading improves vocabulary Even as adults, when we read, we come across many new words we never really heard of. And we learn from this

• Children sometimes stumble over their words, do not know how to pronounce them or what they mean. By reading, young people encounter new words more frequently and sometimes repetitively and therefore can see them better in their context.

• Better comprehension occurs when children are encouraged to read at an early age. They develop smart thinking abilities and are more receptive to creativity and ideas

• The more you read, the more imaginative you become. Whenever you read a fiction book, it takes you to another world. In the new world, your imagination works at its best as you try to see things in your own mind.

• The primary benefit of reading books is its ability to develop critical thinking skills. For example, reading a mystery novel sharpens your mind. What elements are there in a story to make this or that conclusion. Or if a book is non-fiction, you will sometimes ask yourself if the author is right. Critical thinking skills are crucial when it comes to making important day-to-day decisions.

• Every time you read a book, you need to remember the setting of the book, the characters, their backgrounds, their history, their personalities, the sub-plots and so much more. As your brain learns to remember all this, your memory becomes better. What’s more, with every new memory you create, you create new pathways, and this strengthens the existing ones.

• Children who indulge in reading books and learning new things do better at school. They are more creative, open to new ideas, and develop empathy for others. For instance, kids who read about heroes idolize them, kids who love reading anatomy books dream of becoming a doctor, etc. They learn to empathize with characters and learn valuable life lessons such as helping others and being kind.