“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”
— Becoming a Nation of Readers a U.S. Department of Education Report, 1985
- Reading aloud goes even further! We read aloud with children for pleasure and to reassure, entertain, bond, inform, arouse curiosity, and inspire. Reading aloud helps your child associate reading with pleasure. Reading aloud develops your child’s background knowledge and builds vocabulary.
- It is important to remember that your child’s ‘listening comprehension’ is higher than their ‘grade level reading ability.’ So don’t be afraid to read a book above their grade level reading ability. The benefits will aid them as they learn to read. The larger the vocabulary, the better your child will understand academic language.
- A good children’s book offers 3x the vocabulary development than conversation alone. When researchers counted the words we use most often, the total was 10,000 different words. A large number of these words are what we call ‘sight words’ such as the, a, an, through, is, that, what, who, how, and more. Sight words are the words we just know the minute we see them! We do not sound them out. Most reading material is majority ‘sight words.’ So, the better developed your child’s sight word vocabulary, the more successful they will be as they learn to read and grow.
- Your local library is your best friend. The library offers print and audio resources.
- Keep your eye out for used book sales.
- Sharing is caring. Set up a ‘share the book’ system with neighbors.
- Be a role model to your older children. Research shows that a decline in the amount of recreational reading by teens coincides with a decline in the amount of time adults read to them. Graphic novels (most commonly referred to as comic books), magazines, and newspapers are all great for reading aloud to older children [even if you subscribe online sit and read aloud using your digital device.] Put down the remote and game sticks!
- If you are concerned about your reading skills, work with your friends and neighbors for read aloud story time in your neighborhood. This could be especially helpful if English is not your first language.
- Create a special place and time for frequent reading aloud with your child.
- Remember, your child’s best introduction to learn to read is YOU!
Related articles
Why reading aloud is important
The Importance Of Reading Aloud To Older Children
READ ALOUD BASICS: Making children book lovers and not haters (Final part)
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