It is tremendously important to read to your (little) children. Jim Trelease (see his website) speaks on this often. It is as important in the later years as well. If children grow up in a millieu of words, they ingest them and turn around and use them, value them. I tutor Middle School kids in writing, and those that struggle invariably have working parents, perhaps a nanny who doesn’t speak English well, not a lot of verbal interaction with the parents or anyone, often not a family dinner where conversation is encouraged.
When I encourage them to read with their kids, they look at me as if I were a Marian.
A MARIAN? OH NO
You are correct, that reading is critical, and it can make such a difference. I also found the point interesting in the article, about “resilience”, and perhaps if this element would receive more attention in their early lives, it would help to turn the tide.