Books are an integral part of my children’s homeschooling journey, and wherever we go, my kids always carry a book. Instilling a love for reading was one of my biggest goals for my kids, as I knew that technology would eventually compete with books. From the moment my children were born, I introduced them to books, starting with simple picture books and progressing to chapter books as they grew older. Even though they are now capable of reading on their own, I still read to them every day.

Scientific research has proven the numerous benefits of reading aloud on a child’s brain development. As British political philosopher Adam Swift stated, the difference in life chances between children who receive bedtime stories and those who do not is greater than the difference between those who attend elite private schools and those who do not.

I was fortunate to have grown up with a mother who read to my sister and me every day for years, even though she was not aware of the advantages at the time. My mom said it felt right for her, and those were the best moments spent snuggled up in bed with her girls, picking stories that her dad had read to her when she was a girl.

For me, the most important aspect of reading aloud is the opportunity it provides to reunite the family and spend time together. As my kids get older, we don’t have as much time to explore and learn together as we used to, so reading aloud allows us to relax, let go of our daily routines, and find ourselves together in a story. It is the best time of the day that I spend with my kids, and I never want to stop reading aloud.

The content of what we read is not as important as the act of being together during the reading. We usually have a few books going, ranging from fiction to history or science books, and sometimes, we even read short articles or descriptions of paintings or music. This act of being together during reading is especially crucial in today’s technology-dominated world.

Reading aloud before bed is a tradition in our family. It’s a calming activity that helps us wind down and reconnect after a busy day – I will profit from it just as much as my kids do. But our reading routine isn’t limited to bedtime stories. I often read to my kids during breakfast or while we’re doing art projects. We’ve enjoyed books together in parks, at the beach, in waiting rooms, on trains, and even on airplanes. With my Kindle, I can carry a whole library in my pocket, making it easy to read on the go.

In addition to our daily reading, our family participates in a monthly book club with other homeschooling families. While the books are typically geared toward high school students, I read the book club selection aloud to my younger children, which helps them understand more advanced subjects and themes. My oldest daughter even prefers listening to the book club book rather than reading it herself. Sharing stories and ideas through reading has become an important way for our family to learn and grow together.

I highly recommend Meghan Cox Gurdon’s book, “The Enchanted Hour,” to every new parent as it discusses the scientific benefits of reading aloud. I also recommend it to every homeschooling parent as it will inspire you to sit down with your children and read.