In My Own Words

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reading aloud really all that important?
How do I make reading a part of our daily routine?
My child gets bored when I try to read aloud. What can I do?
Why does my child always want the same book?
Why do my children always want the same book?
I don't like how I sound when I read aloud. How else can I share books with my children?
Where can I find good books to read?
What's on the Web?

Is reading aloud really all that important?

Yes! Reading aloud to children helps them develop important emotional, social, and language skills. It influences a child's vocabulary, speech patterns, listening skills, attention span, reading, and writing. Reading aloud expands children's world beyond their own experiences. It introduces them to people and situations they might not otherwise encounter, and it helps them safely explore a variety of emotions. It's also one of the best ways to turn children into lifelong readers.

How do I make reading a part of our daily routine?

As with physical exercise, you want to start slowly. You probably won't find more than a few spare minutes at first, but that's okay. It takes time to establish a routine. Your child will need time to adjust as well-don't be surprised if you hear some grumbles. But pretty soon, you'll both be looking forward to reading time, and those few minutes will stretch into 15, 20, or more!

Tip: When your child has a bad day (or a great one) you might want to take time out from your reading routine and talk instead. If her brain is full with the day's events, there might not be room for a story.

My children get bored when I try to read aloud. What can I do?

For starters, make sure your child helps to pick out the book. Next, try reading for just a short period of time, say five minutes, since it can take a while to build up a child's attention span. Ask your child to participate by turning pages for you or by saying the word that comes next. Finally, consider letting your child draw quietly as you read. Some kids have a hard time sitting still to listen, but can follow the story if their hands are busy.

Tip: Not every book makes a good read-aloud. Books with lots of dialogue can be hard to read well, and small or intricate pictures may be difficult to see from a distance.

Why do my children always want the same book?

Children learn through repetition, so it's natural for them to want the same stories over and over. Each time, they pick up something different. (Have you ever watched a movie more than once? Did you discover anything new the second time around? It's the same with books.) As children become more familiar with a story, they start to absorb its richness-the rhythms of the language, the meaning of certain words, the tiny details that make the story special. When your child is sick of the story, he'll let you know. Until then, keep reading!

Tip: With young children, encourage them to chime in on predictable parts of a story, for instance by reciting a refrain or completing a rhyme.

Tip: When a story is familiar, ask your child to read parts of it to you. If she can't yet read, have her tell it in her own words.

I don't like how I sound when I read aloud. How else can I share books with my children?

Hearing yourself read aloud can feel strange, but try not to be too self-conscious. Children are happy for the time you're spending together. If you are truly uncomfortable, one option is to read picture books with your child. Talk about what you see, or ask your child to tell you a story that goes along with the pictures. Another alternative is to borrow books on tape from your local library. Listen along with your child and discuss the story together. If your child enjoys reading, turn the tables and ask him to read to you!

My child already knows how to read. Should I still be reading stories aloud?

Yes! Many children enjoy being read to long after they learn how to read on their own. Reading with someone else is a social time, a shared experience. In addition, children are often able to understand stories that would be too hard for them to read on their own. By reading these stories aloud, you are helping to keep your child interested in the world of books.

Tip: Split the responsibility for reading. Have your child read a paragraph or page to you!

Tip: As your child gets older, continue to set aside a short time to read together in the same room. You can read different books, but share aloud any passages that strike your fancy.

Where can I find good books to read?

There are a number of ways to find good children's books.

• The simplest place to start is by asking your local librarian for recommendations. He or she can respond to the interests of your child.
  
  
• Books that have won the Newbery or Caldecott award are usually excellent selections.
  
  
• The International Reading Association publishes a yearly list of Children's Choices.
  
  
• The Horn Book Magazine, School Library Journal, and ALA's Booklist print reviews of quality children's books.
  
  
• On the Internet, try the Children's Literature Web Guide.
  
  
• For perhaps the best selection of engaging read-alouds, look in The New Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, available at your local library or bookstore. (You can also try the trimmed-down online version.)