Learning at St Columba's

The Importance of the Read Aloud

Reading aloud is a cornerstone of effective education, offering numerous benefits for students' development across various skills. Additionally, engaging in reading aloud sessions and listening to our children read aloud provides quality family time and cultivates a love of reading. Here are some key benefits of reading aloud with your child.

Reading aloud exposes children to a diverse vocabulary range beyond their everyday language. This exposure to new words provides opportunities for children to learn and understand unfamiliar terms, enriching their vocabulary and facilitating word mastery over time.

Listening to skilled readers read aloud helps children develop their own fluency by providing models of proper intonation, pacing, and expression. When children emulate these elements in their reading, they enhance their fluency skills, leading to smoother and more confident reading abilities.

Reading aloud cultivates a positive attitude towards reading by making it an enjoyable and engaging experience for children. When children associate reading with pleasure and connection, they are more likely to develop a lifelong love of reading, motivating them to read independently and extensively.

Introducing children to a wide variety of literature exposes them to different writing styles, perspectives, and genres. By exploring diverse authors and genres, children can discover their personal preferences and interests, broadening their reading horizons and encouraging them to explore beyond their comfort zones.

Challenging stereotypes about reading materials, such as age-appropriateness or literary formats, encourages children to embrace diverse reading choices without judgment. Allowing children to explore picture books, graphic novels, and various genres promotes inclusivity and celebrates the richness of literature in all its forms.

Rereading books multiple times offers valuable opportunities for skill development, including literal comprehension, inferential reasoning, and vocabulary acquisition. Each reading allows children to deepen their understanding of the text and extract new layers of meaning, reinforcing their comprehension skills over time.

By prioritising reading aloud and embracing its multifaceted benefits, educators and parents can empower children to become proficient readers with a genuine passion for literature, equipped with the skills and enthusiasm necessary for lifelong learning and exploration. I encourage you to pick up a book and read with your child over the Easter holidays.  

Authors to Consider:

• Oliver Jeffers
• Bob Graham
• David Walliams
• Raina Telgemeier

CBCA 2023 Book Week Award Short List LINK  This link provides a range of books for all reading levels and interests.