15 MINUTES A DAY READ ALOUD FAMILY SESSIONS
Because my passion is to instill an awareness and knowledge in parents, extended family, teachers, home school community and anyone participating in the children’s journey of becoming lifelong readers, I want to talk a little about Family Read Aloud Sessions.
From my email blog on “Helping Children become Lifelong Readers”, I wrote,
“Taking the time to read aloud to your children 15 minutes a day is one of the most important activities you will do for them. Think about it, just 15 minutes a day to build their literacy for better success in school and life.”
You have probably seen the 15 minute a day statement before, but today I would like to delve a little deeper into the why.
WHY DOES SUCH A SIMPLE LITTLE ACTIVITY SUCH AS READING ALOUD HAVE SUCH A PROFOUND AFFECT ON A CHILDS LIFE?
One of the most important emotions transferred to the child is Love. When you snuggling with your child you are transferring warmth and focus to the child. Then add in the love of good book or story, this impacts the read aloud even more.
When you engage the child through talking about the test and the pictures, you strongly enhance the benefits gained from the read aloud experience. When the child interrupts the reading of the story to point to something or ask about something, stop, acknowledge their thoughts and then continue on with the reading.
In the past we have seen the read aloud time primarily as a time to relax the child. We now know that it is much more than that. In the book Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction Meghan Cox Gurdon writes
“These studies at the Cincinnati Children’s Reading and Literacy Discovery Center are generating sensational insights into the effects of reading aloud on the developing brain. Among other discoveries, it seems that the thing we enthusiasts have long suspected is true: reading aloud really is a kind of magic elixir.”
When you read aloud to very young children you are building a reservoir of knowledge and skills which dramatically accelerates their language development.
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
–Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Here are some suggested reading for you about the power of reading aloud to children.
Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition, Cyndi Giorgis (Author) Jim Trelease (Author) https://bookshop.org/a/55491/9780143133797
Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction Meghan Cox Gurdon (Author) https://bookshop.org/a/55491/9780062562821
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids, Sarah MacKenzie (Author)
Notes about me:
Jylene Morgan is a retired educator. She is passionate about the importance of reading aloud to children from top quality children’s books. Writing about her life experiences she captivates her audience by telling the tales of her family’s adventures. The first several books are written about funny exchanges that occur when human and wild animal’s lives come together.
To read more about me, my passion for reading aloud to children and my books go to www.jylenemorgan.com. Make sure you join our mailing list so you receive Jylene's "Most Treasured Books List". Books by Jylene Morgan are available fully distributed, check out your local book store, Amazon, or www.jyleneMorgan.com
