How often do you read with your children — once a day, once a week or maybe not at all? No matter your answer, anywhere is a great place to start.

The benefits of reading aloud are endless. It nurtures emotional bonding, opens doors to shared experiences, builds brain connections, strengthens comprehension skills, aids in language development, expands vocabulary, improves listening skills, increases attention span, stimulates imagination, eases anxiety, boosts curiosity and fosters a love of reading and learning.

Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind.

• Have fun! Enthusiasm is infectious. If you enjoy books, so will your children.
• Visit the library and let us help. Pick out books together and let your children make their own book selections.
• Find a cozy spot at home, pick a relaxing spot outside or listen in the car.
• Make reading together part of your daily routine — after meal times, before bedtime — whatever works for your schedule.

Try reading aloud to your children today. This simple yet powerful gift of time and love will give back to you in full. Check out these books to find helpful reading lists, strategies and tools you can use to help your family form deep, lasting connections through stories.