Reading to kids is a time honored tradition for most parents. It's a practice that's been handed down from generation to generation and is one that is valued by both children and parents alike not only for the entertainment value, or a component of a bedtime routine, but also as a chance to spend quality time undisturbed by the normal stresses and strains of the day.

There are other benefits to reading to your child that aren't so obvious however. Books are powerful and with the skill of reading, an entire world will open up to your child. The desire to learn the skill comes from your enthusiasm to read, and to show by your reading how exciting it is to be able to open a book and to understand what it says on the pages.

Another benefit is in soothing your child. Before your baby was born it was already becoming familiar with your voice. However afraid or sick your child is, your voice is the one thing that they should respond to. For this reason, reading to your child while it's still in your womb is a great idea as you will be helping your child to identify your voice almost as soon as he's born -- the first time he will respond to you as a source of security. Also, once your child is born, reading to your child just before he goes to sleep will help to reassure him that he is in a safe place and can relax.

Reading to your child is an informal way of preparing them for life. It's the first foundation stone in their education journey and you can make it an exciting process rather than one to dread. If your child is already at school reading to him can reinforce what the teachers are learning him, and can encourage him to practice what he is learning in class so that he becomes an active student both at school and at home.

If you feel that you and your child is up to it, you can even purchase an early reader book and slowly work through it -- his teacher may recommend a specific book that will complement the work she is doing in class. This should only take up 5-10 minutes of your reading time however so that your child doesn't feel as if he is losing his special story time with you and this would have a negative effect on his willingness to learn to read.

With increasingly limited resources in schools, you can make a great difference to not only how your child approaches his reading lessons by helping him practice at home. Doing this won't only increase his confidence in reading but increase his chances of a good academic experience because of his ability to read well.