Reading to your children has long been considered an important tool in their development. But more recent studies show reading to children builds strong relationships between parents and their kids. Pediatric specialists encourage reading activities, beginning at six months old.

"That really helps build a brain. It really does," says Dianne McBrien, M.D., UI Health Care Pediatrician. "And it also helps fuel a nice, emotional bond between you and your child."

While reading is encouraged for healthy brain development, television is not. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under the age of two watch no television. For children two years and older, only two hours or less per day is considered appropriate.

"It’s not that TV by itself is bad. It’s just that it’s a poor substitute for good, quality social interactions and language interactions with a parent or a committed caregiver, " says McBrien.

Child development specialists report that children who watch more than 10 hours of television each week are less successful in school and have lower reading abilities. On the other hand, reading to kids has been shown to improve their attention span, social skills and language development… all important aspects of healthy brain development.

The Iowa chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has a wealth of information about early brain development.

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