One easy trick to change a child's life ... no, really!

"One easy trick ... sure." 

You see this one easy trick thing, all the time. It's usually a lie, or they want to sell you something. But I promise you, this is the real deal.

We all want the best for our children or grand children. And many of us not only want the best, we're willing to participate to get it. 

Often that means buying something, and grandparents especially, with a bit of disposable income, are experts. 

But you can't buy this. 

Okay, I suppose you could, but why would you? Would you really hire someone to read aloud to your kids? It's best when you do it yourself. 

There are lots of reasons to read, not just to a toddler, but all the way up to grade 8. I won't go into all of them here because I want to keep this short. But here is what's critical.

Reading aloud changes lives.

This is the important part, borrowed from a site called "Reach Out & Read." 

"Research shows that the more words parents use when speaking to an 8-month-old, the greater the size of the child's vocabulary at age 3."*

And here's the chiller:  

"Children from low-income families hear as many as 30 million FEWER words than their more affluent peers before the age of 4." 

So yes, they arrive at kindergarten already behind. 

The easiest way to let children hear more words is to read them. The more the better. Some parents start reading to the child in the womb. 

What to read?

Do this search: "Best books to read aloud." You'll get a whole page of great suggestions. If money is an issue, don't be deterred. You can go to the Goodwill, St. Vinnie's or yard sales and pick up all you need for pocket change. 

One good reason not to? There isn't one. Start today.

*(Hart, B. Risley, T. Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experiences of Young American Children (1995), Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.)