The importance of reading to children

I read a statistic this week that left a big smile on my face! A new survey by Aviva has revealed that Brits spends an average of 100 minutes a week reading bedtime stories to young children, which works out to 87 hours a year. Pretty cool!

Reading to my toddler is honestly one of my most favourite things in the world. Even when she asks me to read the same book over and over – boring! – I am just so glad that she wants me to read at all.

I try never to be too busy to hook up a story. And admittedly, I am really enjoying becoming reacquainted with my favourite stories from childhood as well as a whole host of new ones.

At such a young age, her imagination is beautifully vibrant. And I know that it’s a result of reading.

Even if I am not reading to her, she spends ages paging through her books, looking at the pictures (a very important part of any worthwhile kid’s book) and reciting the stories to herself or her teddies.

Each story she encounters teaches her something new; expanding her vocabulary and increasing her knowledge base, and thus forging a foundation for her future. The importance of reading to children was a value that my mum and dad passed on to me, and I hope to pass on to my children.

One hundred beautiful minutes a week suggests that many of you feel the same as me. Keep up the good work Britain!