Why is Reading Out Loud to Children So Important?
Children’s Literature
What does reading out loud to children add to the development of literacy and engaged reading?
Reading aloud to children is important for so many reasons. It helps build their language development and allows them to hear many new words that they wouldn’t necessarily hear in everyday speaking.
Hearing new words spoken out loud, helps children learn vocabulary, phonics, pronunciation, and reading. When they hear us read, they get a good idea of how to read themselves and how to pronounce the words correctly.
Reading with children gets them familiar with the printed word, helps them comprehend how to sound out words, and teaches them new and interesting things about the world.
Reading aloud to a child can be a special bonding time between the child and the parent or the grandparent. Spending that time with your child can also help you recognize literacy problems early on.
When a two-year-old is already repeating the words and telling the story back to the parent then that child has an advantage even before preschool. But when a child in kindergarten or first grade, for example, is still not getting it, and is struggling to pronounce, or read the simple words, then you can already tell they may need some form of extra help and you can talk to the teacher about it.
Read to your child or grandchild today!
