Reading Corner: Reading Aloud, It's Important!
Mem Fox, the author of Reading Magic, wrote "If parents understood the huge educational benefit and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent - and every adult caring for a child - read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy in one generation." That's how powerful reading aloud to your child is!
There is no reason, in the United States, why children cannot be read to daily. If you don't have books in your house or cannot afford books, go to the library! We go to story time, wander the aisles, and check out some new kids CDs and books.
Reading aloud promotes so many things, including:
So, read to your child. Today, tomorrow, the next day... as long as they'll listen keep reading to them! Most people assume that reading aloud only benefits young children, but middle school readers and young adults also benefit in many of the same ways that young children do, especially if they're reluctant or struggling readers. Reading aloud to your child keeps them interested in reading until their skills could catch up to their interests.
There is no reason, in the United States, why children cannot be read to daily. If you don't have books in your house or cannot afford books, go to the library! We go to story time, wander the aisles, and check out some new kids CDs and books.
Reading aloud promotes so many things, including:
- Emergent Literacy Skills (understanding connections between letters, words, story concepts, speaking development, vocabulary acquisition, etc.)
- Reading Skills & reading enjoyment
- Early School Success (which, in turn, affects later school success)
- Listening Skills and Increased Attention Span
- Brain Development (Only 25% of our brain is developed at birth!)
- Curiosity, Creativity, and Imagination
- Motor Skills (from turning pages)
- Memory (from talking about stories)
- Bonding with parents and caregivers
So, read to your child. Today, tomorrow, the next day... as long as they'll listen keep reading to them! Most people assume that reading aloud only benefits young children, but middle school readers and young adults also benefit in many of the same ways that young children do, especially if they're reluctant or struggling readers. Reading aloud to your child keeps them interested in reading until their skills could catch up to their interests.