Reading aloud to children

Indeed, as Anderson et al. (1985) notes, reading aloud has been shown to be the “single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading” (p. 23)

Parents model the way and why of reading and in doing so they inspire their children to try this magic called reading.

Reading is an acquired skill: the more you do it, the better you get at it; the better you get at it, the more you like it; and the more you like it, the more you do it.

Since awareness must come before desire, reading aloud can be used to expose your children to good books, which in turn serves as a springboard to their independent reading.

Along with everything else, reading to your children can be considered “seed money” in reaching tomorrow’s parents. The child who never sees or hears an adult reading aloud for pleasure is unlikely to grow up and read to children.

In conclusion, reading aloud strengthens the possibility of their future education.