Why Every Grandparent Should Read to Their Grandchildren
Reading to grandchildren builds lasting bonds while boosting their learning. Discover how this simple activity creates connections and supports early literacy.
Guest blog post from: DeeDee Moore
DeeDee Moore founded More Than Grand as a way to share inspiration and resources for grandparents who understand the importance of their new role. Visit MoreThanGrand.com or look for @morethangrand on your favorite social media.
Hi, I’m DeeDee, and I’m a grandma who reads to her grandchildren.
From the time my first grandchild was about 15 months, to the time he started kindergarten, I read to him (and later his sisters) almost every day.
Now, you might think I’m lucky enough to live close enough to do this, but the truth is that I live hundreds of miles away. Except for occasional visits, all those stories have been read over FaceTime.
How Books Help You Know Each Other Better
Those stories—hundreds and hundreds of them by this point—are the main way I’ve built a relationship with my grandchildren. I’ve introduced them to some of my favorite characters, like Peter Rabbit and Frances. I’ve shared books I loved as a child, and found new books that we’ve explored together.
I’ve learned about my grandkids from the books they love. My grandson went through a period of requesting Squirrel Nutkin over and over. It was clear that the naughty squirrel appealed to his own mischievous side, a part of him I might not have known if it weren’t for the book. One of my granddaughters could recite nearly all of the Angelina Ballerina books by the time she was three, studious child that she is. Another granddaughter has a sense of humor that is on clear display when we read—she loves books full of nonsense and silliness.
When I do get to be with them in person, reading together is even more rewarding. Getting to snuggle those little bodies while we share a book is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me feel so connected to them. But as satisfying as it is for me, I know it’s even more rewarding for my grandchildren.
Because I know what reading to children in the early years does for their future. All those words they are hearing expand their vocabulary. The situations Angelina faces are ones they may face, and reading about how to handle them will give them tools they can use in real life. In quality picture books, they are encountering concepts that are the building blocks of learning: from simple ones like rhyming and counting to more complex ones like story arc and character development.
The Right Books Make a Difference
Of course, not all books are created equal. Some books are difficult to read aloud, no matter how famous the author or popular the show they are based on. Likewise, some books are better than others for expanding little minds. When OK Ready came along with a subscription box from Scholastic Books, I was hopeful that there would be books that I would enjoy reading and my grandchildren would love hearing. I assumed that the books would encourage learning and growth. I was right!
On my last visit with my grandchildren, the four-year-old and I dug into the books that had arrived in her first box from OK Ready. True to form, she loved the silliness of The Very Impatient Caterpillar. She’s just getting interested in how words are made, and she wanted me to point out which word was which over and over. It was fascinating to see her budding understanding of how reading works.
The book was about patience, and we talked a lot about patience all week. Patience is in short supply when you are four! It helped to have a framework to talk about it when she was tired of the car ride or waiting for dinner to be ready.
Most important, though, was the way the books gave us a point of connection. The connection wasn’t limited to the time we spent reading them. The stories are now part of our shared knowledge. Those books are like friends we have in common—another thread that links us to one another.
Creating Lasting Connections Through Shared Stories
If you are a grandparent, reading to your grandchildren is a powerful way to build lasting bonds. For one thing, books can help you get to know one another better. Besides that, when you are reading together, you are spending precious time focused on one another. Sharing stories creates a common experience that connects you to one another. The fact that there are academic benefits is a bonus.
If you are a parent, you understand the value of reading to your children. Encouraging grandparents to join your reading circle can multiply these benefits. It gives your children another loving adult to bond with over books, and it creates memories that span generations. Whether it's through regular FaceTime reading sessions or a subscription service like OK Ready, encouraging grandparents to share the joy of reading can strengthen family connections for years to come.
Check out DeeDee's Gift Guides on MoreThanGrand.com
DeeDee Moore founded More Than Grand as a way to share inspiration and resources for grandparents who understand the importance of their new role. On the More Than Grand blog and social media, DeeDee creates a bridge from parent to grandparent, covering topics such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and meaningful ways to connect with your grandchildren. Visit MoreThanGrand.com or look for @morethangrand on your favorite social media.