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Just 20 minutes a day reading aloud to young children promotes family bonding, encourages listening and language skills, and gives children a strong reading foundation.

It takes hundreds of hours of “lap time” for a child to gain the pre-literacy skills necessary to learn to read early and well. The pleasant activity of listening to stories trains a child's brain, ears and eyes for reading success.

“The early years set the stage for later learning…the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”

Becoming a Nation of Readers:
The Report of the Commission
on Reading
Once a child begins to read, it is essential to continue reading aloud together. Like other skills, reading is mastered over time, with lots of practice and with the help of another person. The routine of sharing books together creates lifelong readers.

The magic of this process is the simplicity of action. Any adult can do it, in just about any place, with little or no expense. It doesn't matter what language is spoken. Non-reading parents can make up stories to go with the illustrations. The essential elements are scheduled time with books and a positive attitude!