The Joy of Reading Aloud - Think Literacy

“The shortest distance between two people is a story.”

Throughout the school year, I offer various book club opportunities to our students. It is a time when I get to celebrate reading good books with the girls in a more informal way. I love finding books to share and I enjoy listening to all the different perspectives one story can provoke. Currently, 2^nd and 3^rd graders are participating in the Paddington Bear Book Club. There was so much student interest that I meet two mornings a week to accommodate all our eager readers! I am having so much fun reading aloud Paddington’s exploits. The girls are engaged in our discussions and we have quickly become a community of readers and Paddington enthusiasts!

I want to take some time during this season of celebrating to express the importance of reading aloud to children. The 2015 Kids and Family Reading Report conducted by Scholastic Publishers, revealed that 40 percent of children (ages 6-11), whose parents no longer read books to them at home, say they wished their parents still did. Children say that the top reason they enjoy read aloud time is that it’s a special time with their parents. There are also many educational benefits of reading aloud. Below are my top ten reasons to read aloud, a list of books and websites for parents about the importance of reading aloud, and links to suggested favorites read aloud by genre! I wish you and your families a joyous reading season!

Top Ten Reasons to Read Aloud

Reading aloud…

builds important foundational literacy and language skills.
introduces a robust vocabulary.
provides a model of fluent, expressive reading.
increases motivation since children listen on a higher level than they read.
expands children’s attentions spans and increases reading stamina.
strengthens visualization and empowers imagination.
fosters curiosity about the world around them.
gives children background knowledge on a wide range of topics.
exposes children to a variety of genres.
connects the reader with a community providing security and a sense of belonging.
creates a lifetime of interest and pleasure in reading.

Books About Reading Aloud to Children

The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud by Jim Trelease
Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell

Reading Aloud Information Websites

http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/

http://www.readaloud.org/why.html

https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/ReadingAloud.pdf

http://www.readbrightly.com/importance-of-reading-aloud-to-big-kids/

http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/read-aloud-to-children/

http://www.literacyconnections.com/ReadingAloud.php

http://www.education.com/reference/article/reasons-read-aloud-children/

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/nonfiction-for-kids

http://planetesme.blogspot.com/2008/09/ghosts-in-house-picture-book-and-au.html

Favorite Read Aloud Book Lists

Picture Books: