LEAven Blog

In mid-May, my beautiful baby girl was born, and by the end of the month, my classroom was all packed up and ready for a new teacher. While staying home means I am not in the classroom, it doesn’t mean I don’t get to teach. In fact, I get to be my baby’s first teacher! I enjoy applying experiences I’ve had with other children in the classroom to working at home with my own child. One of my favorite experiences from my time in the classroom is now one of my favorite things to do with my baby girl at home: read. More specifically, read aloud to her. For today’s blog, I’d like to focus on the importance of reading aloud to children.

One of the most effective ways to set children up for success is to read to them frequently, starting as early as possible. Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly experience greater cognitive development, improved language skills, stronger social-emotional connections, increased concentration, and a lifelong love of reading and learning. You want that for your children and students, right? I encourage you to remind parents of the importance and fun that can be part of reading aloud with their children. At this pivotal time of year, when schedules shift and daily routines are established, it is a great time for parents to get into the practice. If parents don’t know where to start, they can ask a librarian for book suggestions, and you can share some ideas I’ve written below.

Babies and Toddlers

My baby obviously can’t read yet, but she spends a lot of time exploring books. She grabs them, stares at pictures, and smiles big when I read with big expressions. Reading is an activity where you don’t have to wait for children to show you signs they’re ready for it. You can read to them from day one! It’s a beautiful bonding activity filled with cuddles and coos. When choosing books for babies or toddlers, opt for high-contrast or bright images, simple words, and pages that they can grab and feel without tearing.

I read to my baby before she was born, and now I’m doing the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program with her. This program encourages caregivers to read any book (including repeats!) to their children, aiming to reach that 1,000-book mark before the first day of kindergarten. Of course, you shouldn’t stop at 1,000 books, but it is a good goal that encourages early literacy and helps promote reading as a household habit. Many local libraries participate in this program and have their own reading trackers, certificates, and sometimes prizes to help you track progress and celebrate milestones. With 365 days in a year, and about 5 years before kindergarten, it’s very doable! Doing this will likely introduce children to over a million more words than conversations alone. They’ll also be building background knowledge with each story. That’s quite a good foundation!

Preschoolers

When choosing books to read aloud to preschoolers, select stories that feature rhyme, repetition, and simple plots. Pause and ask open-ended questions, such as “What do you think will happen next?” Retell stories and act them out. This is especially fun with Bible stories. My nephews acted out the story of David and Goliath numerous times with us, and over time, they retold more details than are even found in a children’s Bible. If you’re doing a reading program such as the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program, have the preschools color in their progress on a chart and celebrate every 100 books read with them.

Elementary Students

Elementary students should still be read to both at home and at school. Read aloud short stories so that students don’t have to track many details. Also select longer stories and chapter books that stretch attention spans and vocabulary. Read picture books, but also include some readings where children must follow without visual cues to improve their listening skills. Pause often to check for understanding. Encourage children to ask questions and make connections between stories and their lives. Explore nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels to connect to current interests or discover new topics, genres, and authors. When reading aloud one-on-one, try alternating reading pages or paragraphs together. This allows children to practice their skills, and it enables you, as an adult, to model fluent reading and offer praise and encouragement.

Middle and High Schoolers

Don’t forget to read to middle schoolers and high schoolers! When students are read to, they can often process the texts more easily. Have students help choose engaging stories, novels, biographies, and articles. Talk about themes, character motivations, and moral dilemmas.

Nothing can replace an adult reading aloud to a child. Parents who read aloud to their children take an active role in their child’s literacy development through their verbal and facial expressions, personalized pauses, and discussions, as well as the matching of spoken words with visual cues. The child also benefits from the physical closeness, emotional connection, eye contact, and adaptations for their needs, which strengthens their sense of security and attachment.

Make reading aloud a household habit. Even if your child struggles, don’t give up; perseverance turns reading into a lifelong source of growth and, hopefully, joy. Perhaps you can try reading at different times of the day. Reading before bed can help relax the child, and reading during breakfast might help establish a positive start to the day. In addition to reading aloud with your child or students, encourage them to explore books, physical and audio, on their own to tap into their curiosities and help build language development.

Children who are read to don’t just learn to read — they learn to connect, listen, and understand. Parents also have a special opportunity to bond with their children through this experience. At the beginning of the school year, don’t miss the chance to encourage this practice with your students and their parents. And if you have the opportunity, try it out in your home too. God bless you as you teach in the classroom and equip parents to keep teaching at home.