Blogging A to Z: Read Aloud

Reading aloud is so important to developing lifelong readers. And what most people don’t realize is that you shouldn’t stop reading aloud when your child can read independently! I think I might have mentioned this earlier in the series, but I remember a lot of my teachers in school, based on the books they read aloud. Some read more than others, but I always remember really enjoying that time during class.

Both of my parents read aloud to us when we were little. In fact, my mom continued to read aloud to us through high school – every single morning before we left for school, my mom would read aloud. We’d take turns picking books and for me, it was a great way to begin my day.

You might be thinking that this idea would never fly in your house, but I challenge you to give it a try. If you’re worried about your kiddos sitting still, ask yourself if that’s necessary for reading time? It might be if you’re using it as part of your bedtime routine, but it might also be a great way for kids to listen as well. Encourage your kids to play with a quiet toy – Legos for example, or work on some artwork while you read aloud. A lot of studies show that doodling while in a meeting can help you actually retain more information. I would argue similar results when reading aloud together.

Book Suggestions

If you’re looking for some great suggestions to start reading aloud, check out Read Aloud America, a nonprofit organization that creates an annual list of titles for different age groups! Definitely check out their extensive list, but I did pull a few titles that caught my eye. These are titles I’ve read and loved or ones that are on my TBR right now.

Reading aloud can be such a wonderful way to bond with your kids. Devoted time away from technology and other distractions that you can spend together. Make sure to schedule it regularly and try not to miss it!

• Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Emily Hughes
• Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
• The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
• The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
• Crossover by Kwame Alexander
• Girl of the Southern Sea by Michelle Kadarusman

You can also always ask a librarian, teacher, or bookseller for suggestions as well. There are so many amazing books out there – most of these are your typical novel format, but definitely try nonfiction, graphic novels, and novels in verse too! You can also read newspaper articles, poems, anything that’s interesting to your family!

For the month of April, I’ll be sharing tips for reaching reluctant readers as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. There are dozens of reasons why a child might be considered a “reluctant reader.” As summer nears, continued reading practice helps students to keep the reading skills they learned while reading for fun. But, that’s not easy when a child doesn’t want to sit down and read. I’ll be sharing 26 tips to meet reluctant readers where they are. And hopefully find a way to make reading bearable, if not even something they want to do!