As teachers, we’re always instructed to make sure we’re reading aloud to our students daily, but without actually understanding and appreciating the benefits of reading aloud, the task may feel repetitive and insignificant.
That’s definitely not the case! There is such a high level of correlation between an enriched vocabulary and being successful in school. I’d love to share with you some of the top benefits of reading aloud to your students to solidify your understanding of that significance in your classroom!
1. Increases Student Comprehension
Where I teach, English is not the primary language spoken at home. Most, if not all, of my children come to school pronouncing words incorrectly and using incorrect grammar. Because of this, repetition plays a huge role in building student comprehension.
It’s pretty plain and simple – If I were to say a new word for the first time, and only say it one time, would my students catch on to it? Would they be able to use it in a sentence? Of course not! This is where reading aloud is so essential. Kids have to hear words repeated multiple times before they can build an understanding of those new words. When the teacher models fluency and expression while reading aloud, the students begin to see how those words are pronounced and used in context, and therefore, increases their comprehension.
Reading aloud also stimulates imagination and expands understanding of the world around us. There are so many children’s books that incorporate different cultures and languages. Choosing to read aloud these types of stories are a perfect way to learn more about those who are different from us!
2. Increases Student Vocabulary
I love how building vocabulary and increasing comprehension go directly hand in hand! Reading aloud is the perfect stepping stone to teaching new vocabulary to students. As you read, discussing new words together as a class makes great conversation and exposes children to sophisticated language. This in turn, increases their understanding of new words and builds their vocabulary. The more sophisticated vocabulary they are exposed to, the greater the chance that they will begin to use the words themselves.
3. Creates a Motivation for Kids to Read Themselves
When kids see how much information they can learn from a book, they are so motivated to choose more from nonfiction or even historical options. On the other hand, when children see how much fun their teacher is having reading aloud to the class, they’re also motivated to find a series or genre they love! Historical Fiction, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, and Fantasy Novels are just a few of the genres that can make reading so fun and imaginative!
4. Covers Topics that are Difficult for Students to Comprehend
Stories can be so relatable and characters can be so easy for students to connect with. Because of this, choosing read alouds that explore different emotions can help children understand their feelings and make them feel more comfortable talking about their emotions with others. It may be difficult for a student to put into words how they feel at times, but a story can sometimes put it into words for them and show them they’re not alone in their emotions.
Bullying, racism, sexism against both girls and boys, divorce, or even saying goodbye to a pet can all be difficult topics to discuss in the classroom, but it’s a safe space for your students to experience those difficult emotions.
5. Increases Oral Language Skills
There are so many ways to build language skills in students by choosing to read aloud. There is always an opportunity to discuss as a class what has been read aloud. Or you can scaffold these discussions by placing students in small groups and providing sentence starters or prompts.
I especially love holding discussions during my read alouds because it’s perfect for ELL students and for those who don’t like to speak up in class. I have found that a small group setting can usually get students to break out of their shell and make them want to give input on the story or discussion questions.
6. Develops Pre-Reading Skills
I think many times teachers get caught up in the idea that read alouds have to be chapter books, but at almost any age, kids love being read picture books. While chapter books are good options as students get older, reading picture books from a very young age definitely helps build a solid foundation for reading. Even if you are a teacher of older elementary students, don’t underestimate the power of a picture book! 🙂
As you read, young children begin to learn that text goes from left to right, we read from the top of the page down to the bottom, there is a proper way to hold and open books, there is meaning in the letters on the page, and that there is a connection between spoken words and written words.
7. Builds Listening Skills
I’m always an advocate for creating opportunities for my students to get up and moving in the classroom, but I firmly believe there is a time and place to learn how to sit still and focus when listening to someone else read. Attention span is definitely something that should be practiced daily in the appropriate setting and listening to a story is a great way to practice those attentive skills!
Listening can also help to develop language skills and prepares the listener to understand written words. There is an essential connection between seeing a word and hearing it read aloud.
8. Promotes Bonding
Just as teachers have busy and stressful days at school, kids do too. Children generally enjoy being read to and reading aloud creates a brief moment of their day where they usually feel comfortable and at ease. Students are definitely aware of days that feel busy or packed with things to do, so reading aloud can also show them that it’s something that’s important enough to take time out of the day to stop and complete.
Reading aloud also really builds a stronger relationship between adults and children which in turn, can make it easier for children to develop their social, communication, and interpersonal skills. The classroom can benefit as a whole, as well, by building a stronger sense of community with discussions about the text.
9. Makes Connections Between Written and Spoken Words
I briefly mentioned this back in the building pre-reading skills benefit, but there is such a significance between written and spoken words. Children begin to learn the rhythm of language by listening to read alouds. If you haven’t, try incorporating more stories that tie in alliteration, rhyming, or even ones that focus on syllables. Teacher expression and emphasis on words can also increase comprehension and help students become more fluent readers.
10. Provides Enjoyment and Entertainment
There are just so many stories out there! – Silly, funny, serious, scary – It’s so fun to share the joy of reading with children. No matter who is reading aloud, a child can see how much their teacher or parent enjoys reading, which will motivate them to read. If reading comes off as boring to a student, try introducing some new genres to them. Every child has their own interests and all it takes is a little searching to find the right fit!
I hope these benefits of reading aloud to your students help to show just how important the activity is in our daily lives. No matter how busy the day feels or how insignificant it may seem, just remember how much of an impact you are making when you choose to read aloud!
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