Welcome to World Read Aloud Day!
In honor of the big event, as well as the Share a Story, Shape a Future blog tour this week, I'd like to share my list of reasons why parents won't want to miss out on reading aloud to their children. I've written many related posts, and I will also include links for those who missed them.
Here it is:
- Make Memories - As a parent of two teenagers, one of the things I miss the most about their early years is the time we spent reading picture books together. I love them so much that I still read them! They're like comfort food for me. You won't want to miss out on this opportunity.
- Make Literacy Warm and Fuzzy - If children have positive experiences reading with people who care about them from an early age, and are surrounded by books, it's more likely they'll enjoy reading on their own when they get older. If they've never known a world without books, then they'll always make them part of their life.
- Slowly Build Upon Literacy Skills - Literacy starts the moment you first smile at your child. Every word you say, especially if you are enthusiastic, enhances your child's natural ability to read, write, and create. When you read children's books together, the language and vocabulary is a little different, and most likely more advanced. Plus, when you read a story over and over again, children learn about rhythm of speech and even important math and writing skills, like sequencing.
- Parents provide the foundation for reading instruction in school. So much can be learned in those first 5 years. I've experienced this with my own children and strongly believe in it, and it's confirmed by Jim Trelease.
- Strengthen listening skills and attention span. Most children love to hear stories, especially from enthusiastic caregivers. Each time they sit on your lap to hear you read, they learn more about how to listen and focus.
- Ignite the imagination, as there are no moving images in children's books-in-print. They have to create their own mental images. That's why it's important to read a book before the related movie!
- Connect the Dots - Children naturally connect picture books with hands-on activities, like art, science, nature, and writing projects. Sometimes, they even like to act them out with props!
- Read Alouds for Middle Schoolers? Yes! According to Jim Trelease (see prior link), children listen at a higher reading level than they read independently at, through about 8th grade, or age 14.
- Generations can learn together - Family members of all ages can learn through many different genres of children's books. Special bonds can be made, and it's great for children to hear different read aloud styles. Reading children's books together allows you to travel the world without leaving your own home and learn about different cultures.
I could keep adding to this list, but as there are many posts to read today and this whole week (see links at beginning of this post), I will end it here. Please feel free to add to the list (or mention a favorite book) by leaving a comment!
And here are a few select related posts you may have missed: