You probably already know that you should be reading aloud to your child on a regular basis. But sometimes that can be hard. Am I right? Between math class, science experiments, errands, and getting dinner on the table, you have to make choices about how to spend your time.
In this post, I want to lay out six really great reasons why you should make the time to read aloud.
Reading aloud to children creates a lifetime interest in reading.
If you start reading to your children while they are young, they will be much more likely to grow into the habit of reading. When they associate reading with happy memories, they are more likely to persist in learning to read, even when they run into occasional roadblocks in the process of learning to read.
Reading to young children extends their attention spans.
Don’t overdo it at first. You might need to start with just ten minutes of read-aloud time, and gradually extend the time until your child is able to maintain full attention for longer periods of time. A longer attention span will help a child perform better both in school subjects and in real-life projects.
Reading aloud to children aids in language development.
As children listen to you read, they assimilate strong language skills. They pick up correct word pronunciation, word usage, and proper grammar. Their working vocabulary increases, and they internalize correct sentence structure. All these skills will eventually transfer to their own speaking and writing. Improper grammar will begin to sound wrong to them, and they will be more likely to choose good grammar when they communicate. By demonstrating fluency, reading aloud to your child will also help him become a more fluent reader.
As you read aloud, the power of a child’s imagination is strengthened.
As you read to your children, they visualize the book’s events in their minds. Through the pages of a book, children are able to experience events and situations that are outside of their own personal experiences. They can picture life in other parts of the world and in other cultures. Children who have been read to are usually more adept at creating stories from their own imaginations.
Reading aloud helps build a child’s comprehension.
As you read and discuss books together, your child increases his problem-solving abilities and gains insight into characters’ motives. Discussing a book as you read helps teach a child how to make good predictions. As you read aloud, you can fill in missing background information that helps a child better understand the book’s setting, historical background, and characters—details that might be missed if a child reads a book on his own. Reading aloud also gives you the opportunity to emphasize important character traits as you read. Point out examples of compassion, kindness, perseverance, and optimism, then take a moment to discuss these traits with your children.
Last, but certainly not least, read-aloud time is great one-on-one bonding time.
Reading aloud is a wonderful chance to share adventure, intrigue, and emotion—without having to leave your living room. And that is irreplaceable.
Do you have a culture of reading in your household? Or do you need to get motivated to start reading to your kids?
Check out Read-Aloud Revival! Sarah MacKenzie has interviewed Jim Weiss (“Reading Aloud Imperfectly”), Andrew Pudewa (“Reading Aloud to Older Kids”), and Mystie Winckler (“For Parents Who Don’t Like to Read Aloud”), as well as many great authors.
I had the chance to join Sarah to chat about the importance of reading aloud with a struggling reader. Sarah and I packed a lot into our 21-minute conversation, including suggestions for some of my very favorite books to read aloud with struggling learners.
You may want to subscribe to her podcast (I did!) or her email list. Read-Aloud Revival has had over 1 million downloads—and for good reason!
So grab a cup of tea and join Sarah and me as we chat about the importance of reading aloud to your children. Then go grab a book and a comfy chair and spend some time reading together with your children.
Need ideas for books to read aloud? Check out my FREE downloadable library lists!
Crystal
says:Reading aloud has sparked a great interest for my kiddo! My toddler also loves it and will sit and read with us too.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceCrystal,
I LOVE family read aloud time!
Loreen Gunter
says:One of our favorites parts of schooling!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceOurs too, Loreen!
Sarah
says:Reading aloud has unlocked such wonderful worlds for my kids. My third child and I are just finishing Harry Potter for the first time!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceSarah,
I know what you mean! Some of my best memories with my kids are of reading aloud to them!
Rachel
says:Looking forward to carrying out read aloud time into the summer. Love this post. Thank you.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Rachel. I hope you have lots of great hours reading aloud together this summer!
Samantha H
says:My kids love reading time, even though one is a proficient chapter book reader. My newest to read is now reading aloud to her stuffed animals, which I can’t get enough of. My oldest will read a bedtime story to my youngest. Books are definitely a staple in our house, and All about Reading and Spelling made that happen for our kids. It made the process so much simpler than back in my days.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceSamantha,
I love how much reading together is going on in your household! So wonderful!
Dorothy Strickland
says:Reading to my children has always been our special time. I love to read and I hope I’m passing that love down to them. Thank you.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI so agree, Dorothy! Reading aloud to is such a special thing to share together.
Michele Merryman
says:I have read to each of my kids, every night before bed. It has always been our special time and I will treasure those memories forever.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThose memories are the best, Michele!
Melany van Heerden
says:Such fantastic resources for parents, teachers and therapists like myself! So glad I stumbled upon this website!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad you stumbled upon our website too, Melany!
Nadia Knapp
says:Great ideas, thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Nadia!
Sara
says:Thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWelcome, Sara!
Martha
says:I like how you put it, a quick informative read!
ALICE
says:great article and just down right great information!!! I have been saying this for many years to my adult students, children, teens and their parents. This is just great info and I know it works!!!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAlice,
Yes! Listening to good literature read aloud is so important for learning for all ages!
Krista Walkley
says:I accidentally hit the x on the resources download, can you email it to me?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’d love to help, Krista, but we have hundreds of resources available for download on our website. Can you pinpoint which one it was you needed? Also, if you sign up for it again, you should be emailed it again. You could try that.
Hasbi Sjamsir
says:Thanks for the great idea. It works.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know that this worked for you, Hasbi!
Tania
says:I recently discovered Read Aloud Revival and it has been life changing. I never realized how important reading aloud is even for strong readers.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceReading Aloud Revival is a great website, Tania, and reading aloud is beneficial for students of all ages and skill levels. I still read aloud to my teens, although not as often as I used to. They are just so busy!
Kay Payne
says:loved reading aloud to my kids because I was read to as a child by parents, grandparents and great teachers.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYes! One of the many joys I have with reading aloud to my children is how multi-generational it is. While we do often find new books to love and enjoy together, it is the old ones that I enjoyed as a child that are my favorites.
April Briley
says:I adore reading aloud to my children. We all enjoy the cuddle/snuggle time together and the one-on-one time we get separately. I agree that reading aloud builds a love of reading and that it aids reading comprehension.
Kelly
says:I agree that reading together is a great way to build strong family bonds
Kelly
says:You can never underestimate the importance of reading good books to your children.
Laura fisher
says:Such wonderful advice. Another great book is read aloud revival ! Many great suggestions.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Laura. Read-Aloud Revival (blog and podcasts) are wonderful. Sarah’s book, The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids is fantastic as well!
Angie O'Bleness
says:I just printed these lists up and am excited to use them for my daughter!
Serra
says:Reading is so very important For kids. Kids know you care about them every time you read to them.
Maija
says:I agree with this whole list and have always loved read aloud time with my kids.
Kristin
says:Such helpful information!
Kimberly
says:Even our high school aged kids love read-aloud time!
Kimberly
says:Even our high schoolers love our read-aloud times!
Felicia
says:We love to read aloud my girls and I take turns reading bedtime books.
Camille
says:We love to read aloud!?
Barbara Escher
says:Thank you for these “Great Reasons to Read Aloud”! As the author of a children’s book, I am passionate about reading to kids. I read to my own children (and grandchildren), and I had the good fortune of watching them develop their own passion for reading. I remember having great fun with my younger grandson’s battle over “blue horse, blue horse,” which he insisted was correctly pronounced “boo hiss, boo hiss.” We still laugh about that, and he is now 19 years old. Those memories are so special!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceBarbara,
I love it when early childhood mispronunciations become a part of a family’s common language! Thank you for sharing this sweet story.
Carina A
says:One of our favorite things to do. :)