eryday when he got home from work, “I was fortunate to spend this very special time reading to my boys, but little did I know that I was also helping them activate their brains or that they were practicing pre-language skills that would prove so valuable later as they learned to read.”
It might seem like a chore to read to your child everyday, especially after work, preparing dinner, cleaning up, etc., but reading aloud benefits both you and your child. Consider reading aloud a chance to unwind and bond with your children, all while mentally stimulating cognitive skills and improving their language skills (sounds like a win-win).
Trelease explains the simplicity of reading aloud, “You don’t need a degree or forty hours of free time to effectively discuss a book with your child.” You also “don’t need 200 books in your home library to make an impact on children.” One book can actually have a life-long impact on a child. I still think back fondly on my childhood favorites like Eloise or Ramona and Beezus.
Reading aloud is something everyone can do with their children. It only takes a couple minutes, and you don’t have to break the bank buying every trending or award-winning book as soon as they're released. Remember, children’s books are “evergreen,” and I’ve found amazing books of great quality at the Goodwill store. Or, make a weekly field trip by visiting your closest library branch.
Books are just the first step in developing a child’s mind. As children get older, it’s important to expose them to different genres and formats of reading. Trelease recommends incorporating series into their reading list. Young readers will build strong relationships with the characters (think: Harry Potter, Curious George or Magic Treehouse). Series lend themselves to encourage reading and moving on to the next adventure. With each book, readers are enticed to continue reading.
Not only does reading aloud improve comprehension and literacy, it also offers families an inexpensive way to take a mental vacation from the stress of daily routine or a healthy escape from dealing with problems.
Even Jim Trelease relates the way that reading aloud helped him combat his hyperactivity as a child. As parents, older siblings, friends and relatives, it is our responsibility to give children the basic tools they need to succeed in life. As Trelease concludes, “Giving phonics lessons to kids who don’t have any print in their lives is like giving an oar to a person who doesn’t have a boat - they won’t get very far.”