Parents play a very important role in their child’s reading development. According to Dr. Amy McCollum, a pediatrician at Midtown Pediatrics at Children’s of Alabama, parents can start reading to their children at any age.
“All pediatricians encourage their families to start reading to their children at birth,” said McCollum. “Even if you think they have no idea what’s going on, they are very responsive to your voice, to the tight connection being held by you and just hearing what you have to say, looking at the bright colors and bright shapes, that’s wonderful even at birth.”
McCollum says that, regardless of a child’s age, the benefits of reading are numerous. She attributes reading to helping a child build his or her vocabulary from birth to age three. Reading can also help strengthen the bond between a parent and a child. It can also help with a child’s school readiness.
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