Why to read with your child?

A new research has revealed that reading with young children and engaging them can make a positive impact on the kid's future and their family.

Bradford Wiles, who is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in early childhood development at Kansas State University, said that kids start learning to read long before they can ever say words or form sentences.

He said that his focus is on helping parents read with their children and extending what happens when you read with them and they become engaged in the story.

The developmental process, known as emergent literacy, begins at birth and continues through the preschool and kindergarten years. This time in children's lives is critical for learning important preliteracy skills.

Although his research mainly focuses on 3-5 year olds, Wiles encourages anyone with young children to read with them as a family at anytime during the day, not just before going to bed.

He also believes that it is okay to read one book over and over again, because the child can learn new things every time.

Engaging children is how they become active in the story and build literacy skills.