A friend posted this picture on Facebook with the caption, “Dave’s daily ritual…morning stories!” The picture and caption made me smile, and immediately I asked if I could use the photo for a blog post.
I was taken with the intimacy, interest, and joy of the photo. What a wonderful reminder of the importance of reading aloud – especially when it comes to school readiness, a key solution area of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
A quick Google search produced the following statements about reading aloud:
- Reading aloud is widely recognized as the single most important activity leading to language development. Among other things, reading aloud builds word-sound awareness in children, a potent predictor of reading success.
- Reading aloud to young children is not only one of the best activities to stimulate language and cognitive skills; it also builds motivation, curiosity, and memory.
- Reading aloud stimulates language development even before a child can talk.
- Reading aloud gives children the opportunity to practice listening – a crucial skill for kindergarten and beyond.
- Reading aloud in the early years exposes children to story and print knowledge as well as rare words and ideas not often found in day-to-day conversations or screen time.
- Reading aloud helps children build a stronger foundation for school success. The nurturing and one-on-one attention from parents during reading aloud encourages children to form a positive association with books and reading later in life.
- Reading aloud is a proven technique to help children cope during times of stress or tragedy.
- Research shows that the more words parents use when speaking to an 8-month-old infant, the greater the size of their child’s vocabulary at age 3.
- THE NO. 1 REASON: YOU AND YOUR CHILD WILL ENJOY EVERY SECOND YOU SPEND TOGETHER WITH A BOOK.
