“Duduk,” Squish says as she plonks herself in my lap after handing me a book.

It’s the only Indonesian word she has retained since our return from the jungle. Duduk means “sit”.

This has become our nightly routine. Squish waddles to her shelf, chooses her favourite board book — usually one with flaps, or animal noises, or both — and curls up in my arms as we turn the pages and discuss the pictures together.

When we’re finished, she stands to her feet, announces, “Clean up,” and then takes the book back to her shelf to find another one.

Every part of this routine is adorable and keeps me coming back for more.

As you might have guessed, there are also big advantages for Squish when I read books to her each night.

Here are five of them.

1. Boosts Language Development

Squish has an impressive vocabulary for a 14-month-old. I am convinced this is, at least in part, thanks to how often we read to her.

When toddlers want to learn new words, they don’t consult a dictionary. They simply hear a word over and over again in its proper context, and then one day begin using it according to the rules they have perceived.

If you want this process to take hold in your child quickly, and for as many words as possible, read to them constantly.

Reading to your toddler helps build their vocabulary and teaches them the structure of language. The more words and new sounds they hear, the more you stimulate their ability to speak and understand language.

2. Improves Cognitive Abilities

Language is not just an end in itself. It serves as the foundation for all thinking, reasoning and problem-solving. Reading to your child regularly furnishes them with all the tools they need to rapidly develop in intelligence.

Moreover, books introduce many new and important concepts to your toddler — whether colours, shapes, numbers or letters. And as your child grows older, they begin to understand a book’s storyline, which helps them develop logic, memory and creative thinking.

3. Strengthens Emotional Bonding

Angie spends all day with Squish. So, when I finish work, not only does my wife need a break, but I need time with my daughter, and she needs time with me.

I have noticed that Squish becomes irritable when I am too busy with other things to give her my time and attention — and her irritability quickly fades when I take time to be with her.

There are many ways for us to spend time together, but I believe the most bonding of these is when we read together. There in my lap, she feels safe, secure, close and loved. What more could a toddler want?

4. Develops Listening Skills

Even at Squish’s tender young age, she has begun to understand and follow simple instructions. Last night, I gave her a box of toy animals and began naming animals and asking her to give them to me. She had about an 80-percent success rate. Not bad!

When toddlers listen to stories, they don’t just learn more words. They develop the ability to focus on the speaker, follow directions, and absorb information — all essential listening skills.

5. Instils a Love for Reading

They say that readers are leaders. I want my little Squish to be a leader — a world-changer, even.

Who knows what Squish will end up accomplishing? Whatever she does in life, I want to set her up for success.

You climb a mountain by taking one step at a time. Right now, for Squish, that means reading one picture book at a time. My hope is that I will instil in her a love for reading that she holds on to for life, and takes her places that she never dreamed of.

There are many more benefits of reading to your toddler. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Image courtesy of Unsplash.