The Benefits of Read Alouds for Older Kids

I guess I got my love for read alouds from my mom. I will never forget sitting and listening to her read Little House in the Big Woods. I was old enough to read the book for myself but I much preferred when she read it. We would cuddle on the bed and listen to a chapter each night. I looked forward to these evening times with great anticipation.

The story of Laura and Mary came to life when she read it to me. She loved the story and the enthusiasm in her voice was contagious. I found myself caught up in the book and disappointed when the chapter ended.

Kids Model Your Behaviour

This began my life-long love of reading. I truly believe that without these read alouds, I would not be the avid reader that I am today. I struggled to learn how to read and didn’t find it an enjoyable task. My mom gave reading a purpose. She taught me that it can be a positive experience and that it should be enjoyed with others.

I started to enjoy it because I saw her enjoying it. I began to look at it as a privilege instead of a chore. Reading became something that you did together and talked about afterward and looked forward to right along with someone else.

Reading Level vs Listening Ability

One of the first skills teachers focus on is the child’s ability to read. As soon as this skill is mastered, the focus shifts to how well they can read. A lot of attention is placed on a child’s reading level. While their reading level is important, there is another ability that is overlooked and that is their listening ability.

A child’s listening ability develops sooner than their reading ability does and they are able to take in more complicated information as they hear it than they could if they just read it. Listening to a story with a complicated plot is not as difficult for a child as reading one themselves.

Six Benefits of Read Alouds

Read aloud time is something that I have purposefully incorporated into our homeschool day. Here are the six biggest benefits I've noticed from using read alouds in our homeschool. At the end of this article I'll talk about how to pick out a great read aloud for your family.

1. Increases Appreciation for Interesting Words

It is amazing how my children can listen with such keen attention to a story that would seem far above their understanding. They actually prefer stories with rich vocabulary and interesting new usage of words.

While these are harder for children to understand when they themselves are the reader, they can be enjoyable to them when read aloud. This way, the child only has to think about the words in context and can enjoy the story as a whole, taking in the plot and using their problem-solving skills.

2. Increases Attention Span

Being able to focus and pay attention is one of the key elements of being able to learn and retain knowledge but helping a child learn these skills is difficult. Read aloud time is a great opportunity to increase your child’s attention span.

You can start short and gradually lengthen the amount of time that you sit and read to them. Eventually, your children will enjoy half-hour long stories and still want you to read longer.

3. Increases Problem-Solving Skills

When a child reads a story for themselves, they gain two perspectives: the one the author is portraying and the one they have themselves. When a child is read to, it becomes a time for discussion and conversation and connection. Children who are read to get to ask questions about the story and gain insight that they wouldn’t have gotten alone.

4. Creates Quality Time Together

This creates a bonding and a connection as the two of you experience the story together. It becomes a cherished moment rather than an isolated one experienced alone. The child will even remember the story better as it becomes a part of the memory, too.

When you are the one that reads the story to them, your child will connect you with that story. When they think about it, they will think of you. This creates an interesting position for you. You are able to help them process and enjoy the story and the lessons learned because you were a part of their experience.

5. Lessons Are Learned the Easy Way

When a child hears a story, they get to experience that story as their own. They feel the emotions and think about the solutions to the problems. As a homeschool parent, you can use this to help your child in a way that lectures and talks can’t.

When you discuss a problem with your child they do not get to experience it firsthand. When they are read a story of a person with the same problem, they can process it in a totally different way. They get to become that person with that problem for a little while, but with no consequences. This allows them to come up with creative solutions to problems and to hear about how others solved their problems.

6. Schooltime Read Alouds Are Important

Many people use read alouds during specific quiet times or at bedtime. This is a great idea but it is important to include read alouds as a part of your school time, as well.

If all of the reading done during school hours is solely educational, kids can grow to associate reading with learning only. When reading for fun is introduced as a school time activity, it becomes thought of as a part of life. This will, in turn, nurture a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.

Choosing the Right Book

When choosing your read alouds, be sure to read interesting stories that capture your child’s attention and imagination. Don’t pick books based solely on the lessons learned in them or based solely on the story itself.

The best read alouds are a good mixture of both storyline and lessons learned.

It’s fine to choose books that are long and take several days or even weeks to finish. Kids love to look forward to the next chapter and the anticipation is half of the fun.

Give your child the gift of your time and attention by including read alouds in your curriculum and you could be giving them a precious gift: the lifetime love of reading.