Did you know that reading aloud to children is one of the most important things you can do to help them grow and learn?
Reading aloud to Kindergarteners is one of the most important things a parent or teacher can do to help them with their reading skills. Studies show that reading aloud to young children helps build vocabulary, teaches phonics, increases imagination, helps them develop language skills, creates a love of books, stimulates children to read books themselves, and further develops their cognitive and listening skills.
Keep reading to find out more about why reading aloud is so important for children.
Benefits of Reading Aloud to Kindergarteners
Reading aloud to children offers many benefits, especially when parents or teachers use engaging voices and behaviors while reading.
Benefits of reading aloud to Kindergarteners:
- Bonds parent and child
- Teaches coping skills
- Helps child understand the world
- Increases vocabulary
- Teaches phonics
- Stimulates imagination
- Teaches social skills
- Helps develop language skills
- Teaches life lessons
- Creates a love for books
- Helps children be successful readers
- Develops listening skills
- Increases attention span
- Increases memory
- Helps focus
- Teaches communication skills
- Increases emotional intelligence
Books teach children how to handle real-life situations such as sharing toys, what happens when you disobey, and how to control their emotions.
Best Books to Read Aloud to Kindergarteners
There are so many books to choose from. Where do you even start? I put together a list of some of our absolute favorite books.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White teaches about an unlikely friendship between a spider and a pig and the lengths that a true friend will go to to help their friend.
Stuart Little by E. B. White teaches many lessons such as acceptance, responsibility, and perseverance in spite of adversity.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain follows two boys’ adventures and teaches the importance of following the rules and being honest.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is a fun book to read, and it helps children learn to listen for words that rhyme.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault helps children learn the alphabet in a sing-song rhyming way.
The Three Little Pigs by Steven Kellogg teaches children the importance of hard work.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams and William Nicholson teaches children about the importance of loving and being loved in return.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond teaches children about responsibility and consequences.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton teaches children about loyalty and adapting to struggles.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss teaches children about accepting others even though they are different.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl teaches children to dream big, to be grateful, and that the world does not revolve around them.
Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire is a fun book to read to kids and a beginner book to help children learn to read themselves.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter teaches children the importance of obeying their parents, and the consequences should they choose not to.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle teaches children about self-control and change. It is beautifully illustrated as well.
What Should Danny Do? On Vacation by Adir and Ganit Levy is a Power to Choose book. Kids get to choose what the main character does, so there are several stories in 1. This particular story teaches about obedience, kindness, and sharing.
What Happened When I Read Aloud to My Son for 30 Days
Reading has always been important to me, and I’ve read a bedtime story to my son almost every night since he was a few months old.
But.
I knew I could do more, especially as a homeschooling mom. I wanted to give my son a love for reading so he can hopefully enjoy it as much as I do.
So I decided to read 30 minutes a day to my 5-year-old son for 30 days.
And here’s what happened.
Day 1 – Immediately, he started asking questions about what words he hadn’t heard meant. Words such as astounded, perspiration, and terrific.
Day 3 – After 2 days of interrupting me reading anytime he had a question, we implemented a new rule – raise your hand when you have a question. He became much more respectful and didn’t interrupt anymore once we started doing this.
Day 6 – He started using new words he had learned! When we were reading Charlotte’s Web, he asked what the word “budge” meant. I explained and then he used the word “budge” in 3 sentences! And correctly, I might add.
Day 10 – We had a bad experience with a mean child at the park. My son had asked 2 boys if they wanted to be his friend. One of the boys grabbed his toy out of his hand and threw it! (It took all my mama bear strength to hold back). My son referenced a book about making friends and said that being nice is the best way to make a friend.
Day 12 – He started identifying letters and simple words when he was following along in the books we read.
Day 15 – He started asking to have “snuggle time,” which is his way of saying he wants to cuddle up and read a book together.
Day 19 – I noticed his attention span was longer and he was listening for longer periods of time.
Day 24 – He started talking about books all the time. We were at the beach, and a mom called for her daughter, Charlotte. Chase noticed and said “Mom! Charlotte! Like the spider in Charlotte’s Web!”
He also asked what the house was made of and said that bricks were much sturdier because we read The Three Little Pigs a few nights before. He said he wanted to be a good builder like the last pig.
Day 29 – We went out of town and he was upset because we didn’t have a library card. He was begging to go to the library.
I am very pleased with how our reading challenge went, and we will definitely continue! He knows all letters and most of their sounds, so reading aloud is the next step to helping him learn to become a successful reader.
I am so proud of him for the progress he has made. And I’m soaking up all the time we have cuddling up and reading together.
Conclusion
Children are sponges! The best way to help them grow into self-sufficient, confident readers is by reading aloud with them.
Studies show that reading aloud helps build vocabulary, teaches phonics, increases imagination, and so much more. It’s not too late to start now!
What are some of your favorite books for young children? I’d love to add them to my own list!
Happy reading!
