Having books in the home is proven to positively benefit children in a myriad of ways. A two-decade long study found that the mere presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention and job attainment.

“Adolescent exposure to books is an integral part of social practices that foster long-term cognitive competencies,” wrote Joanna Sikora, the lead researcher.

The study also showed that “the difference between being raised in a bookless home compared to being raised in a home with a 500-book library has as great an effect on the level of education a child will attain as having parents who are barely literate (3 years of education) compared to having parents who have a university education (15 or 16 years of education).” ¹ In both cases, having university-educated parents or a book collection propelled “a child 3.2 years further in education, on average.”¹

Acquiring 500 books may seem daunting, but the report found that having as few as 20 books in the home significantly impacted children’s future education as well. To level the playing field, there are several affordable or free options to acquire children’s books. Some examples are:

1) Chicago Public Library (or your local library)

2) Little Free Library-   These take a book, leave a book structures offer communities 24/7 access to free books.

3) PJ Library- sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. 

“The Integrated Pediatric therapists are here to brainstorm creative ways to help your family engage in books together. We have specific strategies, book suggestions and adaptations for books to help you and your child build a solid reading time foundation,” said Jennie Marble, Director of Integrated Pediatric Therapies. Call 847.412.4379 to schedule a free consultation with IPT.

References

¹https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049089X18300607#fig2