Reading aloud to young children is the single most important thing you can do for them to be ready to learn to read! People will often say to me, “oh, he’s too young to understand,” or “she won’t sit still long enough to get through a book.” With the first statement I ask, how will a child ever learn to understand if not given the opportunity? The second statement has more to do with book choice, delivery, and expectations which I’ll address in another post.
Reading aloud provides enriching experiences to young children. Many little children will not have the opportunity to visit a zoo but they can learn about zoo animals through nonfiction picture books. Families are not often able to travel to other countries but they can visit anywhere in the world and even outer space through books. Where will your next read aloud take you?
Hopefully, it will take you to a fun adventure and isn’t it easier to learn something when you enjoy learning about it? Reading aloud is a fun and enjoyable way to help children develop a love of reading – an essential life-long skill!
Additionally, children’s oral language skills and vocabulary are developed through reading aloud. I always know when a child has been read to often just by how they talk with me and the vocabulary they use. Just the other day a neighbor’s child was telling me about her younger brother and how upset he was. She said he went “boneless!” That child has heard Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems a time or two.
Finally, reading aloud, whether between a child with a parent, or a teacher with a group, provides for critical interactions that develop strong emotional bonds. When a child feels loved and safe he or she can learn, grow, and be their best self. So, read a book today with a young child!!
Creating School Ready Kids 