Having my favorite story read to me aloud is one of my fondest memories of childhood. I cherished those moments – snuggled on the couch with a story I could recite, before even being able to read, about a character I knew like a best friend.
There are many ways to create a beneficial and memorable experience from reading aloud.
Make it Fun!
Reading is fun and reading aloud can be even more fun. The expression and inflection in your voice will make the story come alive. Most of us can think back on hearing stories like “The Three Little Pigs” read aloud and can immediately hear the rough voice of the big bad wolf, or the high voices of the little pigs. Your expression will help your son see how you use the punctuation in the book as well as make the stories come to life.
Also when reading a story aloud there is the opportunity to pause and think out loud about what is happening in the story. Before turning the page you and your son can discuss why the character did what he did or what might will happen on the next page. He will be eager to see what happens. Not only is this interactive, but asking questions together can help aid your son’s comprehension of the story.
Encourage Reading Along
If your son can read encourage him to read with you. You can take turns reading a page. Hearing you read will encourage him to model your good reading skills. If your son is younger and just learning to read, books that have a lot of repetition will encourage him to read along with you. Kids can anticipate the familiar, repetitive lines and say them along with you. Even if they are not actually reading the words, saying them while seeing the words on the page will help your son recognize and start to make associations. That’s a great first step to reading!
Step it up
Another great benefit to reading aloud is introducing your son to stories above his independent reading level. Reading aloud a story that is a challenging read, but that is on his emotional level or about a topic meaningful to him helps to put even more stories within your son’s reach. It will also provide the opportunity to hear and understand higher level vocabulary words.
My first experience with a chapter book was in the third grade. I was not ready to read one on my own, but my third grade teacher read Superfudge aloud to our entire class 30 minutes at a time. When it was time to tackle a chapter book on my own, the thought of reading a book with no pictures didn’t seem so scary anymore! The experience not only encouraged my confidence, but also opened my imagination early to stories I would not have been able to read on my own.
Reading aloud with your son will help him develop good reading habits by learning from your example, encouraging his comprehension and associating reading with fun.
moonlight_zone
My daughter really loves books, she always picked her favourite books and asks me to read to her.
She is a fussy reader which she requests me to read with full expression, funny intonation or even body language. Else she would rather ask other person like her papa or grandpa to read to her, sometimes she would even grab the book and put it back to the selve if I didn’t do it seriously!
So, I agree reading aloud to your children really benefit them. I’ll definitely try to encourage her to read along with me next time. Hopefully soon she doesn’t need me to do all the silly gags when reading to her, LOL!
Erin Hill
Reading is my son’s favorite activity, even though he’s only 2. He loves it when we read the first part of the line, and then allow him to finish it, because he’s memorized it since we read so much. That way he feels like he’s reading the book with us, even though he’s unable to read yet.
Dawn @Moms Inspire Learning
You have some great tips here! I’d just like to add that it’s never too late to read aloud to a child, but if your child does not want you to do so anymore, it’s still so important for parents and teachers to model a love of reading themselves. If children see adults reading to themselves and spending time at the library, they will be more likely to view reading as an enjoyable activity.
There are books out there (for every type of reader) just waiting to be found! With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be well on your way to raising a lifelong reader.
Mark Waugh
Children are really sensitive with the words they pick mcsa up from adults. Not only we do have to be careful with the words we use but also how we say those words to them.
Harmless teasing coming from a teacher or a parent mcitp training would have great effects on the child. Either it makes him feel inferior or be a source of motivation. We can never really tell how a child perceive our words that’s why we have to be careful. Firm yet nurturing and full of respect.HP0-S18