Why Reading Aloud to Your Child Is Important: 5 Things Parents Need to Know
2. Children spend about 900 hours in school each year and 7,800 hours outside of school. Now more than ever schools face intense pressure to get results, mostly in the form of higher test scores. A child's affective realm gets pushed aside to focus on the cognitive. That's why it's crucial that parents read aloud to their children at home, making it a relaxing and pleasant experience. Too often at school reading gets associated with stress. When taking exams, students must read passages and then answer questions about them. That's why it's important for children at home to enjoy reading for reading's sake.
In addition to reading aloud to their kids, parents should read themselves. Children should see their moms and dads reading for both pleasure (novels, magazines) and for information (manuals, cookbooks, newspapers, work material). Children should see their parents read throughout the day, not just as they drift off to sleep.
Reading chapter books to older kids is a marvelous way to open a dialog about difficult topics. Books offer a springboard for conversations about dating, teen suicide, bullying, and being gay. When you read aloud to your child, you'll get amazed at the conversations you'll have!
This book, now in its 7th edition, is the bible for reading aloud to your child. First published in 1982, this classic book is ideal for moms and dads who want to instill in their kids a passion for books. Learn techniques for making reading time fun, relaxing, and informative. Learn how to make your kids life-long readers. A must have for your home library!