Reading, whether out loud or silently, is one of the most important activities that you can do with your child. It is an activity that has countless benefits. What is more, you can do it any time and anywhere. If you like reading, you are already aware of these benefits:
- Develops your imagination
- Improves your vocabulary
- Teaches communication
- Calms the body and mind
Do you remember reading about animals that talk when you are a child? Do you remember talking to your own stuffed animals as you have read in your books? You have so much space for your imagination when you read books. You can imagine yourself in the story of what you are reading. You can even imagine your own endings, maybe even remaking the beginning or whatever part of the book. This is the best thing about books. When you read them, you can re-create them in your mind. Who knows, you can end up writing your own book in the future? 
When you read, you encounter new words that will be added to your vocabulary. If you are not in the habit of looking up words in the dictionary, you can get a clue of what the word means from context clues.
Reading also teaches communication. How did the teacher communicate to her students in the book? How will you communicate to your mom or dad if you were in a similar situation? Would you use the same line of reasoning that the teacher used? There are so many things about communicating with others that you can learn from reading books, regardless of the title.
Finally, when you are reading, you free your mind of worries and you let your mind escape to the setting of the book. Treat it as a vacation for your mind. You can let your mind wander anywhere, whether in the past, present or the future.
Reading is not only good for you, it is also good for your child, your little one. The best part is, if you read to your child or you read with your child, you can explore so many worlds and ideas together. You can both go to a fairy tale land, create magic, be an animal you choose or travel the world beyond earth hand in hand.
This summer, while you are basking in the warmth of the sun, take a few minutes to enjoy reading with your child. An option for you is to bring your child to any public library in Chicago. In particular, you can go to the Jefferson Park Library where they have a lot of activities for your little one. You can also sign up for Rahm’s Readers and challenge yourself and your child to read for 500 minutes this summer. All these are FREE. In fact, you even get a chance to win more books and other prizes!
So, what are you waiting for? Head on to the nearest public library and find out what activities they have in store for your little one. Explore various worlds with your child and let them grow while reading with you.
Make the most out of what are for FREE in Chicago!
A Chicago Housewifey 