Reading aloud to your child is perhaps the single most important literacy activity you can do with your child! I could write a whole book about why this is important, but instead, I will just share a few of my thoughts with you.
What text should you “read aloud” with your child? It really does not matter! Read what is exciting and interesting to you and your child. Grab random books from the public library shelf - if it’s a good one, read it again and again! Insert some poetry! Read an article from the local newspaper. Google a list of outstanding “read alouds.”
Reading aloud with your child creates a special bond. Often there is a physical closeness associated with reading. In addition, bonding while sharing in a story is similar to bonding while sharing a real-life experience. Real-life experiences cannot be replaced by a book, however, books can take you places you would not normally go and give you experiences you would not normally experience; sharing in a story creates a bond. Sitting together, sharing emotions, learning about things and talking about the stories are wonderful outcomes of reading together.
Reading aloud creates an opportunity for the listener to hear how the written English language sounds. This modeling will positively influence how the listener (your child) will later read independently, using good phrasing and expression.
If your child is following along visually while you are reading, your child will also observe how the English language is written. As you point out letters, words and punctuation in the book you are reading, it will help your child build on what he/she already knows about our written language and help him/her to grow.
Do you know what an “Interactive Read Aloud” is? It simply is you teaching specific points to your child while reading aloud together. Sometimes the points you make are planned; other times they are things that come to your mind while reading. The points could be connected to such things as vocabulary, background experiences, phonics, punctuation or story development. Some examples:
Another idea is to encourage your child to chime in with predictable text while you are reading. For example: Flush the ____. Often times a person not even looking at the text can figure out the next word. This will really help your child when reading independently (now or in the future) to have the confidence to use what he/she knows about text and predict words while he/she is reading.
Imagine wearing a device (like a Fitbit) that records how many different words a child hears in a day. Now imagine wearing that same device as you read to your child for 30 minutes. How many more words do you think your child would hear because you read to him/her for 30 minutes? Children’s knowledge of vocabulary naturally increases the more they are read to. So you should read, read, read aloud to them a lot!
Although research shows that continuing to read to your child into adolescence is beneficial, it will become more and more difficult to do as he/she gets older. Take the opportunity now and read to your young child while you can!
Have fun reading aloud!
What text should you “read aloud” with your child? It really does not matter! Read what is exciting and interesting to you and your child. Grab random books from the public library shelf - if it’s a good one, read it again and again! Insert some poetry! Read an article from the local newspaper. Google a list of outstanding “read alouds.”
Reading aloud with your child creates a special bond. Often there is a physical closeness associated with reading. In addition, bonding while sharing in a story is similar to bonding while sharing a real-life experience. Real-life experiences cannot be replaced by a book, however, books can take you places you would not normally go and give you experiences you would not normally experience; sharing in a story creates a bond. Sitting together, sharing emotions, learning about things and talking about the stories are wonderful outcomes of reading together.
Reading aloud creates an opportunity for the listener to hear how the written English language sounds. This modeling will positively influence how the listener (your child) will later read independently, using good phrasing and expression.
If your child is following along visually while you are reading, your child will also observe how the English language is written. As you point out letters, words and punctuation in the book you are reading, it will help your child build on what he/she already knows about our written language and help him/her to grow.
Do you know what an “Interactive Read Aloud” is? It simply is you teaching specific points to your child while reading aloud together. Sometimes the points you make are planned; other times they are things that come to your mind while reading. The points could be connected to such things as vocabulary, background experiences, phonics, punctuation or story development. Some examples:
- A book about camping: Take time to talk about your family camping experiences.
- A book that includes fantasy: Discuss if the story is real or make-believe.
- A book that includes all capital letters for some words: Draw attention to the letters in those words.
Another idea is to encourage your child to chime in with predictable text while you are reading. For example: Flush the ____. Often times a person not even looking at the text can figure out the next word. This will really help your child when reading independently (now or in the future) to have the confidence to use what he/she knows about text and predict words while he/she is reading.
Imagine wearing a device (like a Fitbit) that records how many different words a child hears in a day. Now imagine wearing that same device as you read to your child for 30 minutes. How many more words do you think your child would hear because you read to him/her for 30 minutes? Children’s knowledge of vocabulary naturally increases the more they are read to. So you should read, read, read aloud to them a lot!
Although research shows that continuing to read to your child into adolescence is beneficial, it will become more and more difficult to do as he/she gets older. Take the opportunity now and read to your young child while you can!
Have fun reading aloud!