The Power of Reading for Developing Executive Functioning in Young Children

I am often asked: "Why did you write books instead of creating an app for kids?"

A SMART WAY TO START is indeed a rhymed book series for young children (ages 5-10) and there is a very sound reason for it being BOOKS in RHYMES.

Let's start with the Book format.

Reading is key to develop a skill set call "executive functioning" and this skill set is absolutely essential to develop good money habits. Indeed, it was important to me that the form of the learning tools I offer (books) aligns with - and reinforces - the learning goals we aim for.

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental skills that help us manage time, pay attention, plan and organize, remember details, and inhibit inappropriate responses. These skills are crucial for success in school and in life. Reading books, especially reading aloud, can play a significant role in the development of these essential cognitive abilities in young children.

When children are read to, or when they read on their own, they engage in a complex cognitive process that activates various areas of the brain. This process involves paying attention to the storyline, remembering characters and plot details, making predictions, and understanding cause and effect. These activities, in turn, help to strengthen executive functioning skills.

Reading cultivates attention and focus. When children listen to a story or read a book, they must sustain their attention to follow the narrative - improving their ability to concentrate and stay focused on tasks, another key aspect of executive functioning.

Furthermore, reading encourages children to think critically and make connections between different pieces of information. As they engage with the narrative, children understand how characters, settings and events relate to each other. This process of mental organization and categorization supports the development of planning and organization skills, which are essential components of executive functioning.

Reading aloud also provides an opportunity for children to practice self-regulation. When a child is engrossed in a story, they learn to control their impulses and emotions, waiting patiently to see what happens next rather than skipping ahead. This practice in self-control and inhibition contributes to the development of strong executive functioning skills.

In addition to these cognitive benefits, reading also fosters language development, vocabulary expansion, and comprehension skills. A strong foundation in language and communication is crucial for effective problem-solving, decision-making, and goal setting, which are key aspects of executive functioning.

In short, reading books and engaging in reading aloud activities provide a rich and stimulating environment for the development of these skills which are critical in life, and are also essential to build strong Money Skills:

• manage time
• planning and organizing
• goal setting
• decision making
• control impulses

These, dear Parents, lay the foundation for managing DELAYED GRATIFICATION: the most essential of all money skills, to avoid falling victim to instant gratification (unplanned spending, unnecessary spending and over-spending).

This brings me to the second point. What better way to further reinforce these skills that by reading in Rhymes?

The melodic reading of rhymes makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable and memorable - for kids and for parents. Rhymes stimulate the ability to make predictions, too (what's coming next will sound like the previous line). Have you noticed how those nursery rhymes we learn when we are little, stick with us for life? If you stop to think about it, you'll probably be able to remember some rhymes you learnt around the age of 5... which, by the way, is an important stage in life when self-confidence is formed (key for the development of one's sense of self worth). So if the rhymes we learn are about important money messages, we can rest assured that those messages are likely to stick with our children for life, too.

By immersing themselves in stories and narratives, children are not only expanding their imagination but also laying the groundwork for strong executive functioning abilities that will serve them well into adulthood. With A SMART WAY TO START every child has the chance to build a valuable skill set for life and, with your guidance, dear Parents, to turn these essential money skills in to Good Money Habits over the years.

So do read aloud with your children. It's the best investment you'll ever make!