As teachers, we’ve known for decades that reading aloud to children is imperative to young children’s development. On June 24, 2014 the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement regarding the critical importance of reading to young children beginning in infancy, giving increased credence to the magnitude reading aloud to children has on their development.

The AAP policy states, “Reading … can create nurturing relationships which promote early brain development, early literacy, language development and school readiness.” The statement goes onto recommend that pediatricians model reading aloud to parents and their children and provide suggestions on types of books parents should read to their children based on their age. Additionally, the policy states that one of the most important functions of reading aloud to children is the relationship built between the child and the reader – their parent.

Read the entire AAP statement abstract here.