6 reasons why you should read to your kindergarten-bound child

August 11, 2025 at 05:01 AM EDT

(BPT) - Is your child starting kindergarten this fall? There are many things you'll need to do before they start their education, but one task that should be at the top of your to-do list is reading.

While your child can't read on their own, reading to them can make a huge difference in and outside the classroom. Check out these six benefits of reading to your young child ahead of kindergarten.

1. Nurture imagination

Your child has a natural capacity to dream, and reading can help nurture this innate ability. According to an article by All for Kids, reading aloud to your child helps them explore people, places, times and events beyond their own experiences, expanding their imagination.

2. Vocabulary

Learning new words and concepts can be simple and fun when reading a book together. In fact, reading at home can boost your child's vocabulary before they ever set foot in a classroom. According to research from Ohio State University, kids who read a book a day will hear about 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who don't regularly read books with a parent or caregiver.

3. Social and emotional skills

Dealing with big feelings can be challenging for kids. However, you can make it fun to learn about tough emotions and how to manage them in a healthy way through reading.

According to the Child Mind Institute, reading can help children learn important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, compassion and problem-solving. When children read about characters experiencing similar situations, they have a chance to name their own feelings.

For example, reading a book like "We Don't Eat Our Classmates" gives you and your child a chance to talk about how starting kindergarten and making friends may be difficult. As they read Penelope the Dinosaur's funny adventures in the classroom, they can laugh, learn and process with your support and guidance.

Similarly, you can pick up a copy of "Embarrassed Ferret," a comical picture book about Ferret's embarrassing first day at school and how she learns that everyone has these moments from time to time.

4. Cognitive development

Reading is one of the easiest and most important ways you can help your child's cognitive development. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, brain scans showed that when children hear stories, it strengthens the part of the brain responsible for visualization, comprehension and word meaning.

5. Reduced stress

Starting school can be a stressful transition for young children. The routine they're used to at home will naturally have to change as they enter the classroom. Thankfully, reading can calm children, reducing stress and providing reassurance.

If your child is stressed or nervous about starting kindergarten, read Kitty vs. Kindergarten with them. Your kids can identify with Kitty, who is struggling with changes to his routine when attending school. This funny and heartwarming story can help them deal with the stress of change ... and may even calm your own anxiety about your child starting school, too.

6. Bonding and connection

Reading to your child every day can be a fun and meaningful way to connect with them. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud can help strengthen the bond between children and caregivers. By providing this special time for connection with your child, you're laying the groundwork for a bright future and a loving parent-child relationship as they grow.

illustration of three children book covers and type that says

Are you ready to read? You can add these books to your home library and ease your children into the school year by visiting https://books.disney.com/?s=we+don%27t+eat+our+classmates.

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6 reasons why you should read to your kindergarten-bound child

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