Speaking is a natural process. Tiny humans begin copying what they hear in the form of early speech so that by the time they are two years-old, children are repeating what they hear and asking for more information. Reading is not a natural process. Those same tiny humans do not begin reading independently even when reading is modeled for them. Words on a page are simply designs in a book. Speaking is natural; reading is not. Reading requires deliberate instruction and a great deal of practice. By definition, reading is the brain processing and understanding printed text.
Several regions of the brain, predominately in the left hemisphere, are activated while reading. The frontal lobe controls the production of speech, thinking, and reasoning; hence it allows for reading fluency, grammatical usage, and comprehension. The temporal lobe, which sits in the lower region of the brain, allows for differentiating and decoding sounds. It is where verbal memory creates context and meaning. The parietal lobe is in the upper region of the brain and connects speech sound with visual images. It works with the frontal lobe to enhance memory and comprehension. In the anterior region of the brain, the occipital lobe links visual recognition to letters, letter combinations, and the sounds they make.
The brain is not a muscle, but like muscles, the brain works more efficiently with consistent use. Brain activity, the brain’s version of a workout, is increased as new information is taken in. This new information requires the brain to absorb, analyze, and adapt. Reading is one of the best workouts for the brain. Reading improves memory, visual processing, and verbal communication skills. Reading strengthens the brain’s neural pathways (those super highways that connect the brain’s regions), to enhance complex sensory and cognitive processing.
Now let’s speak specifically about a child’s brain and the impact reading has on it. With early and consistent exposure to reading, the brain activity triggered when reading starts the child on their journey for success in literacy. And the earlier the better.
Before a child is able to read independently, the visual and auditory stimulation of being read to triggers similar brain activity. The parietal and occipital lobes are activated with the sounds of speech in the reader’s voice as well as the visual images in the book. The temporal lobe activates auditory processing which stimulates verbal memory and contextual meaning. As the child matures, daily read-a-louds activate the frontal lobe to empower speech production, comprehension, and ultimately reading fluency. Reading aloud enhances focus, concentration, and social-emotional development in both, the reader and the one being read to.
Reading to a child, no matter their age, improves their independent reading success and strengthens their social and emotional character development while decreasing levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and attention difficulties.
Read to your child. Read often and start early. Read the pictures child and pause to question content and characters. Activate your child’s brain with reading and experience the single most important activity for building the knowledge and brain power for their reading success.
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