8 personality traits of people who were read to as children

In an era dominated by screens and instant gratification, people who were read to as children seem to have a certain magic in their lives, no matter how much they’ve grown. 

Their vivid imaginations keep them creative and even empathetic, which makes them truly one of a kind.

If you can relate to this, you’re probably one of the lucky ones who were read to as a child!

So if you want to know the 10 personality traits of people who were read to as children, read more below.

1) You have a vivid imagination

Having a vivid imagination means you grew up immersed in stories, with your mind constantly filled with different worlds, characters, and scenarios.

In fact, it’s probably what helps you think creatively and outside the box.

Unfortunately, your vivid imagination can sometimes be misconstrued as being absent-minded. People might even tell you that you “live too much inside your head” or that you’re a “dreamer,” but not a “doer.”

Let me be the one to tell you this: don’t listen to them.

Your ability to imagine and create is a direct result of the countless stories that were read to you as a child. You’re not weird—you’re simply thoughtful and creative, and more than they could ever be!

2) You’re empathetic

If you were read to as a child, you’ve probably experienced a variety of emotions and situations through various stories, even if you were not actually living them.

In fact, it’s this ability to connect with characters and worlds that are not your own made you more understanding and empathetic towards others’ feelings and experiences.

Take me, for example.

I remember being read “The Velveteen Rabbit” as a child. Experiencing the friendship between the boy and the Velveteen Rabbit, the loss, and the pain that comes with being real—all of that taught me about friendship, sacrifice, and dealing with grief at a young age.

Sometimes, though, I understand that it can be hard to have such deep empathy. People might not always understand why you feel things so deeply, and that’s okay.

Your empathy is a testament to your ability to understand and connect with others on a deeper level – a skill that is invaluable in today’s technologically connected but emotionally disconnected world.

3) You’re a skilled communicator

Growing up with stories, you were exposed to a rich vocabulary and complex sentence structures at an early age. This exposure has likely helped hone your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively.

In fact, this article discusses that children who are read to from an early age have a larger vocabulary and better language skills compared to their peers who aren’t.

This advantage often extends into adulthood because, of course, communication is a skill that’s valuable all throughout life.

So, if you or your friends find that you have a way with words, that you can effortlessly articulate how you feel more than the average person can, it might be because you were read to as a child!

4) You’re comfortable with silence

While it might seem odd, people who were read to as children are often more comfortable with silence than others.

Why is this?

Because listening to stories requires focus and quiet, which teaches you the value of silence from an early age. This comfort probably extends into your adult life, allowing you to appreciate and utilize moments of silence.

Unlike others, you probably don’t enjoy constant noise and chaos as much. You appreciate the peace and quiet of early mornings and the silence that comes when everyone’s sleeping in the dead of the night.

Your comfort with silence is a reflection of your ability to listen, think deeply, and focus—skills that were honed during those quiet story times in your childhood.

5) You’re not afraid of complexity

Let’s be real:

Life is complex. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of gray areas.

And you know what? If you were read to as a child, you’re probably more comfortable with that complexity than most.

That’s because books and stories are rarely simple—yes, even those that were made for children.

Growing up with various stories, you likely developed an understanding and acceptance of the complexity of life, and it’s a testament to your depth as a person.

6) You have a deep sense of understanding

As a person who grew up being read stories, you’ve probably lived many different lives through countless characters and their experiences.

You’ve walked in the shoes of heroes, villains, and everyone in between, which gave you a unique perspective on different people and their many motivations.

You understand others profoundly because you were nurtured by the many stories that you heard and read growing up. 

And you know what? It makes you more insightful and compassionate than most.

7) You’re a lifelong learner

If you were read to as a child, chances are, you’ve developed an insatiable curiosity and a love for learning.

Books opened up worlds for you, filled with fascinating facts, intriguing characters, and compelling narratives. This exposure likely sparked a desire to continually learn and discover, which persists even now.

Unfortunately, your thirst for knowledge can sometimes be seen as being nerdy or too bookish.

People might not always understand why you’re so passionate about learning new things, but that doesn’t diminish your love for it.

Your curiosity and love for learning aren’t nerdy traits, but signs of an open mind that’s always ready to explore and grow. 

8) You appreciate the small things

Remember the thrill of turning the page to find out what happens next? Or the joy of discovering a new favorite character?

If you were read to as a child, these small joys probably still resonate with you.

Your childhood exposure to stories likely taught you to appreciate the small things in life. Whether it’s a well-written sentence, a clever plot twist, or even the smell of an old book, these little joys add up for you.

Remember, your love for the little things isn’t trivial; it’s a testament to your ability to find joy in life’s subtleties.

Final thoughts

It’s easy to be misunderstood as someone who was read to as a child.

You can be called overly imaginative, pretentious, or a nerd, but that’s simply because society tends to misunderstand people who are different—especially those who don’t fit their expectations.

So if you’re someone who was read to as a child and find yourself being misunderstood, don’t worry, because you have so many beautiful and unique traits inside of you that they’ll never comprehend.

In the end, being read to as a child hasn’t just made you who you are—it’s made you into someone who is truly special!