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This is NPR's Life Kit. I'm Diana O'Pong.

As a radio producer and a host, I'm a big fan of good stories in any format, and as a mom to three kids, I want to pass my love of storytelling on to them.

But it's not always easy to find time for reading in our busy family schedule. And let's be

honest, with all the tech at

their fingertips and school days filled with required reading, it's not always easy to keep

their attention either or to convince them that reading isn't a chore. I recently learned that

there is so much joy and value to be found in reading aloud as a family

for parents and kids alike. It does so much to help us with stress management, hope,

and resilience. It's the best bang for your book. Like I haven't seen anything that gives a higher

return on investment than reading aloud.

That's Keisha Sirbois.

She's an early childhood literacy consultant with a PhD in early childhood education and teaching

who goes by Dr. Keisha.

She's based in Baltimore, but has researched education strategies and student leadership

development all over the world.

For Keisha, the simple act of sharing your love of reading with your child is so much bigger than just literacy.

It's another expression of love for your child and a tool for helping them navigate the world.

That parent-child bond is there's nothing better in terms of centering the child

and centering yourself as the adult.

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