Reading aloud to children is one of the most effective routines for raising reading achievement and building a love of reading. When an adult reads to a child, he models fluent reading, a love of reading, and develops in the child comprehension skills. The child is exposed to new authors and text types, new words, and new ideas. Children learn to feel empathy for others as they explore the world from another perspective. Snuggling up with a loved one and a book reinforces a feeling of connection, safety, and love.
Teachers should read aloud to their students during the school day, and parents should read aloud with their children or listen to audio books together.
Read Side by Side makes it easy for teachers and parents to read aloud to children with our classroom read-aloud units and our home read aloud kit. Through these curriculum resources teachers and parents will be taught when to stop reading to discuss what was read, what vocabulary words to highlight, and how to extend a child’s interest beyond the book.
Here are 5 tips for reading aloud:
1. Set aside 20 - 40 minutes a day for reading aloud.
For teachers, set aside 45 minutes in your school day to teach a read-aloud lesson. Use the teacher's guides to guide your instruction and instructional stopping points during the read-aloud for discussionand writing.
For parents, find a time in your day to take a break and read-aloud to your child during that time—read over breakfast, over lunch, or in the late afternoon. Or, have learning time in the evening and try reading aloud after dinner or before bed. Audio books work too! Do you have a time when you will be traveling with your child in the car? Consider doing an audiobook read-aloud on the way to wherever you are going. Pause the audio a couple of times to talk about the book with your child.
2. Select texts that are at a higher level than what the child can read on their own (1-2 grade levels above).
When you select books that are above the child's reading level, you are able to introduce the child to something new—a new genre, a new topic, a new author or series. Ask them what genre they’d like to try or what topic they might be interested in. Check out our list of recommended titles!
3. Provide enough copies of the book, if possible, for the child to follow along.
Research shows that having the text in front of the student as the adult reads has a greater impact on reading achievement than listening to a book without seeing the text. This is because the child will ‘read along in their head’, increasing reading fluency and comprehension.
4. Stop reading several times to discuss what is happening in the text (2-4 times per chapter).
Stop throughout the beginning of the book to ask questions about the details:
- Who are the important characters?
- Where does the story take place?
- When does the story take place?
- What are the problems in the book?
- What has happened so far?
- What do you think will happen next?
Stop throughout the middle of the book to ask questions about the main character, and the author's message:
- What word would you use to describe the main character?
- How is this character feeling?
- What has happened so far in the book?
- What do you think will happen next?
- What do you think the author’s message is?
Near the end, stop to ask what might happen at the book's conclusion:
- How do you think the book will end?
At the end of the book, talk about the book and what was learned:
- What happened at the end of the book?
- Did you like the book?
- What was your favorite part?
- What did you learn about the genre, author, and/or topic?
5. After reading a chapter or two, follow the reading time with an extended activity such as:
- Writing
- Art
- Imaginative Play/Theater
Read Side by Side recommends using the independent reading tri-fold to support reading comprehension and writing skill at home!
Reading aloud to children has many benefits beyond academics. Snuggling up with a book reinforces a feeling of connection, safety, and love. Reading about another person’s experience encourages empathy and compassion for others, as well as the opportunity to escape your own world for a little bit. Even if our children may not travel to new places, they can travel anywhere with a book!
Want to learn how to set up a cozy reading nook in your home? Read Side by Side and other experts join REDFIN to provide tips for you! Learn more.
Are you looking for a reading program to increase motivation and achievement?
We are confident the Read Side by Side Reading Program will be the right fit for your next curriculum adoption! To learn more about the program and request a sample kit, connect with one of our advisors!
Written by Sarah Collinge
Founder & President
