By DORCA CASSEUS
When I was still a classroom teacher my favorite time of day was Read Aloud when we all gathered on the carpet to hear a story. It was also the highlight of my students’ day. Even my most energetic and restless students would sit perfectly still and attentive as I read aloud from an engaging picture book. Thirty little bodies would settle into their carpet spot and their eyes would focus on me as I introduced the book. We would start by reading the title, looking at the pictures, and predicting what would happen. Their hands would shoot up in the air to ask questions or make a connection. As I read the story, they would laugh at the funny parts or join in as I read repetitive lines. Read Aloud was always my secret weapon to calm down my class and enjoy a moment of peace.
The benefits of reading aloud to kids are countless. On their website, the U.S. Department of Education called “reading aloud to children the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading.” Children who are read aloud to:
· Have larger vocabularies
· Become better readers themselves
· Foster a love for reading
· Enjoy quality time with the people who read to them
· Learn how books work
· Write better
· Perform better in other subjects at school
No doubt, reading aloud to children is time well spent. During these busy days of working from home and homeschooling, it may be a challenge to find time to read aloud to your children. In addition, libraries are closed and we have limited access to new books to read. However, as always, the Internet has a plethora of resources. One of my favorites is Storyline Online, a website that provides free access to videos of celebrated actors reading children’s books. Children enjoy watching the videos as they hear famous people reading books alongside the illustrations.
I know your child will enjoy listening to all sorts of books whether you read it to them or you listen together on Storyline Online. It will quickly become the highlight of the day for you and them – just as it once was for me.
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