Forte Speech & Language Therapy, a provider of virtual and in-home speech therapy in Los Angeles, is excited to announce the release of a new comprehensive report highlighting the profound benefits of reading to children, especially during their early developmental years. The report, developed in concert with the clinic’s team speech-language pathologists, outlines how consistent reading practices can enhance language skills, cognitive development, and overall emotional wellbeing in children.
The report focuses on the critical role that reading plays in early childhood development, particularly in fostering strong speech and language skills. According to the report, reading aloud to children promotes vocabulary growth, as they become exposed to new words and ideas. It also helps develop social skills, as age appropriate children’s books focus on concepts like respect, kindness, and turn taking. This in turn can help a child develop their sense of empathy – the ability to understand and share in the feelings of others.
In particular, the report references a 2019 study that underscores the massive difference in vocabulary of children who are read to and children who aren’t. Those who were never read to are estimated to hear 4,662 different words by their fifth birthday. Meanwhile, those who were read to twice a week would have heard 63,570 words. This underscores the importance of establishing a daily reading routine with children.
The report further explores age appropriate subject matter for children, particularly focused on levels of comprehension, and how to begin building a reading practice for children that’s internally rewarding.
“We’ve seen firsthand how beneficial reading aloud is in the context of pediatric speech and language therapy services, and our new report sheds light on how critical it is for all children, not just those with speech or language delays,” said a spokesperson from Forte Speech & Language Therapy. “This practice lays the groundwork for future academic success and is a key activity that can support speech development in the early stages.”
The clinic's team of speech therapists encourages parents, caregivers, and educators to incorporate reading into daily routines to foster early speech and language skills. They also suggest that parents choose books with engaging, age-appropriate content that allows for interactive discussions, helping to keep children actively involved in the learning process.
The report, titled Why Is It Important To Read To Your Child?, is available for free on the clinic’s website, as is additional information on the clinic's pediatric and adult speech therapy approach.
About Forte Speech & Language Therapy
Forte Speech & Language Therapy provides comprehensive speech therapy services for children and adults. The center addresses various speech and language challenges with a team of highly skilled therapists, offering personalized therapy to enhance communication abilities. Forte excels in creating and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and provides robust advocacy support to ensure clients receive necessary services in educational settings. By fostering a holistic and supportive environment, Forte Speech & Language Therapy is dedicated to delivering exceptional outcomes and improving the quality of life for its clients. To learn more, visit https://www.fortespeech.com.
