National Read Aloud Day has fallen in the middle of National Storytelling Week, the perfect opportunity for us to emphasise the importance of parents and children reading together and why reading aloud should become part of everyday life.
Storytelling and reading aloud to children is beneficial at all ages – from babies who cannot speak, to teenagers who are able to read fluently. Babies absorb information about language long before they start talking. Becoming familiar with books is an essential stage of learning to read and should start as early as possible. When children are learning to read and begin making their way through the reading schemes, it is more important than ever to share stories together. It helps children to understand that reading is not just something that must be done for school, but it is a fun activity that is done for pleasure – all helping to develop a love of learning and reading.
Reading to children opens up a world of books that they might not choose to or be able to read themselves. Reading aloud with reluctant readers in particular can really help to maintain interest in books and aid with focus. Allowing time to discuss what you are reading helps to develop critical thinking skills. Books offer opportunities to discuss a wide variety of things that might not normally come up in conversation. Children are exposed to subjects and situations that they may not encounter in their own lives. The conversations about what you are reading are just as important as the actual reading, helping children to build confidence when vocalizing their thoughts or speaking publicly.
If you have already stopped reading to your child – then start again! It is never too late to help spark your child’s interest in reading. Sharing stories is the key to giving children the best possible start in life.