Teaching & Learning Page

Make a Big Impact with Read Alouds!

Reading aloud is one of the most powerful ways to boost your child’s language and learning. Here’s how to make it count—especially when it comes to growing vocabulary:

1. Pick rich, engaging books – Choose stories with interesting language, new ideas, and beautiful words.
2. Pause to explain tricky words – If a word is unfamiliar, take a moment to explain it in kid-friendly language and give an example.
3. Use expression and excitement – Your voice brings the story to life and helps to hear how language works.
4. Talk before, during, and after – Ask questions, make predictions, and chat about what happened and why.
5. Revisit favourites – Children learn best through repetition. Each time you re-read, they notice new words and meanings.
6. Make time to read together every day.

With younger children:

• Explain how books ‘work’ by pointing out the title and author.
• Point out letters in words and talk about their sounds. 
• Include books with rhyme to help the development of phonemic awareness.
• Include classic fables and fairy tales from a variety of cultures.

With older children:

• Choose books for shared reading that are more challenging than children are capable of reading on their own. This will expose them to words, ideas,  and concepts for building vocabulary, and general knowledge.

• Alternate books with classic authors like Rudyard Kipling, CS Lewis, and Robert Louis Stevenson. This will open up new worlds to children and extend their literacy. 

Your voice and your time are two of the best gifts you can give. Happy reading!