Reading can do more than develop your child's literacy. It also can be used to boost your child's social skills. Seriously.

Recent research reported on CNN shows that the more you talk to your children from a young age about other people's feelings, wants and beliefs, the better your child's understanding and handling of social situations will be. And according to children psychology experts, teaching your child empathy is one of the most important things you can do.  It's a crucial skill to interact effectively with others.

The good news is that reading provides the ideal opportunity to do just that.   A double whammy of improved literacy and deft sociability!

A Study in Time

The UK based study in the article followed 53 families as their children grew from 3 to 12 years.  Half the families did activities to create empathy and awareness of feelings, while the others did not.  For example, mothers were asked to talk to their 3-year-old children about a series of pictures showing every-day scenes such as a child coming out of school happy and people waiting in line. 

When researchers tested all the children on social understanding tasks, the difference between the two groups was clear. Previously discussing the possible state of minds of characters in the pictures significantly improved those children's empathy.  This effect continued throughout childhood, although it did weaken around 10 to 12 years, as children became more independent and more influenced by their peers and teachers.

A Vocabulary of Feelings

The key driver is giving children a vocabulary of feelings. In the CNN article, children's psychologist Dawn Huebner, points out that children generally don't know what their emotions are and they need words to describe them in order to become more empathetic.  Getting them to label other people's feelings also helps.

"Let's say a young child grabs a toy away from another young child. It's helpful for parents to say something like, 'That makes him sad when you take it,' rather than saying 'don't grab' or 'stop it,'" says Huebner.

Every Day Opportunities

The trick is to find every day opportunities to teach your child empathy.  Television shows, pictures in magazines, billboards or people waiting at a bus stop are just a few of the things you could use to talk to your children about what someone might be feeling.  And of course, reading with them!

Reading is particularly ideal, as it allows you to 'pick' stories that may introduce themes or situations that you would like to explore. It's a natural quiet time, which encourages thought and consideration.  Illustrated children's books help even further as the pictures can be used as a launching point for discussion.

And if you're a little lost as to where to start, here are a few helpful tips:

• Ask your child what a character may be feeling as a result of the action in the book
• Ask your child how he/she would feel if he/she were that character
• Ask your child what he/she would do if he/she was the character

So what are you waiting for?  Pick up a book, snuggle down with your child and begin educating!

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