BLOGS > APRIL 29, 2020
BY DEBRA SYNATSCHK
The American Academy of Pediatrics said that when parents talk, read and sing with their babies and toddlers, connections are formed in their young brains. These connections build language, literacy and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills at an important time in a young child’s development.
Reading out loud has an exponential impact on language development, comprehension and vocabulary.
Jim Trelease, the author of the much respected Read-Aloud Handbook, says that not only is it important to read to young children, but research has shown that reading aloud to children through their early teens is important too. Why? Because a child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to their listening level until Grade 8.
When reading aloud on subjects or in genres kids love such as sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, graphic novels, Norse mythology and even Minecraft, they will get excited about the plot, and this will be a motivation to keep reading.
Jim Trelease said it best: “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”
Debra Synatschk
Director of Classroom Services, Follett School Solutions
Debra worked in public education for 30 years as classroom teacher, K-12 curriculum director, as well as an adjunct professor. She has also worked with school districts around the country helping them map their curriculum and implement edtech programs. She currently serves as the Director of Classroom Services for Follett.
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