If you are a regular reader on this site, then you know how often I talk about the importance of reading aloud to kids. The science backs up the claims that reading to a child every day has an incredible amount of benefits. It also sets kids up for success in many ways. But this doesn’t have to be just parents. Today I wanted to share why grandparents should read to their grandchildren too, and some fun ways to go about it – even if you have to be far apart.

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Reading with grandparents can improve the bond between the adults and the kids, and create memorable experiences that kids will cherish for the rest of their lives. Little Bookworm loves books (surprise surprise), and there are some books that she associates with certain people.

The Benefits

The Emotional Bond

Reading together can create an incredible emotional bond between adults and kids. The shared experience is something that kids will remember, and the positive emotions that they tie to that time together will help them to develop positive emotions around reading in general. It has been proven that kids who are read to are more likely to have a positive connection to books and reading. Grandparents can play a part in this while spending time with little ones. Whether snuggled up together and feeling that physical connection of love, or connecting across a great distance through technological means, reading can help us stay connected across generations.

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Showing Them That You Treasure Reading

Another one of the best ways to get kids interested in reading is to read in front of them. By reading to kids and reading books in front of them, adults show them that they treasure reading and see it as a fun experience. Knowing that their grandparents enjoy reading can allow kids to feel connected to them. With the advances in technology sometimes dividing up the generations, connecting over a shared love of reading can be a bridge between them. And having your grandchildren remember you as a person who loved to read with them is a great legacy!

Tips for Grandparents Reading to Grandkids

Grandparent Themed Books

We love sharing books that celebrate the love between family members. My daughter has gifted many grandparent themed books to my parents over the years, and they have given her some as well. We keep them together in collections so Little Bookworm can read them with her grandparents. I love that books about grandparents tend to highlight the important relationship between grandparents and grandkids, both in sentimental and silly ways. We have a wide range of grandparent books, from tear jerkers to laugh out loud funny ones, and each of them is a treasured part of our collection. Check out some of our favorite Grandparent themed books here!

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Recordable Books

A few years ago, my cousin gifted a recorded storybook to Little Bookworm for Christmas. She recorded the story for her, and it makes her smile every year when we read it. My aunt bought several more recordable books for other members of the family, and Little Bookworm now has stories read by her grandmother, my grandmother, and more. In addition, we recorded our own reading of a Grandparents book for my mother a few years ago, and Little Bookworm’s tiny toddler voice brings us joy whenever we listen to it. These giftable books are great for any age, and they pass the love of reading from one generation to another.

Virtual Reading

Thanks to technology, we are now able to stay connected with our loved ones across long distances. This has been especially important during the pandemic when grandparents and grandkids have been forced to be apart. With more people using FaceTime or Zoom to connect with loved ones, it’s the perfect time to start reading to your grandkids virtually! It takes some getting used to, but it can be a great way to connect with kids, even when you have to be apart.

There are so many reasons why grandparents should read to their grandchildren, but the most important is probably the irreplaceable memories that you will be creating. What a great way for them to remember you years from now!

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