Children’s books contain 50 percent more rare words compared to prime-time television and college level speech! This is an incredible statistic and one that makes us realize yet again the importance of reading to our children. But just what does this mean exactly, and what is its importance?
Research indicates that the amount of reading a child does is the main contributor to their increase or decrease in vocabulary and that specifically, written language is where this vocabulary is the most concentrated.
A recent study analyzed the language used in three different categories: 1) written language ranging from simple, preschool-level books to more complex, scientific articles; 2) words spoken on a variety of TV shows; and 3) words used in a variety of adult speech. The results were quite shocking, revealing that most speech is highly lacking in vocabulary when compared to written language.
And that’s not all. Perhaps most interesting is the statement introduced at the beginning of this blog–that the rarity of words found in children’s books was greater than that found in adult conversation and the language used on prime-time television! This means that it is even more important for our kids to read if we want them to have an increased vocabulary, for an increased vocabulary more-likely-than-not leads to a more articulate and higher academic-performing child. It has been proven that most vocabulary is learned outside of teaching. And it is through books, not the television, iPad, or being privy to our conversations, that will do the trick.
After hearing results like this, I am running, not walking, to go read a stack of books to my son. And I am glad to know that I have this research safely tucked away in my head to back me up when I stress the importance of reading to him. His future depends on it.
