Reading aloud is sometimes the stuff of nightmares! Sitting in class, your name being called, and you know it is your turn to read. Everyone’s eyes are on you, your hands are shaking, and you forgot where the student before you stopped. Reading to your kids should not be this stressful! It can be the perfect bonding experience for you and your child. There are a couple of things that you can do to make reading aloud a relaxing and special experience. Use these 5 tips for reading aloud to your kids, and loving it!
Reading to older kids
Parents tend to concentrate on reading aloud to toddlers and younger kids, but the truth is that there are many benefits to reading to your older kids as well. Reading together allows you to spend more time with your kids and strengthening your bond. It creates the opportunity for you to start valuable discussions with your kids. Stories will grow your kids’ curiosity by taking them to new and wonderful worlds! Together you can create a love for learning for the rest of your lives.
5 Tips for reading aloud to your kids
1: Prepare
The first step to reading aloud is preparation. Read through the book that you are going to read. Look at words and passages that you can read with emotion. Once you have read through the book you will know when important events are about to happen. Use this knowledge when reading so that the story comes alive through your words.
2: Set the scene
Reading should be fun and sitting on a rigid hard chair is no fun at all. Find the perfect place to read in your home. Someplace that is comfortable and where you can relax. Picture a comfy couch with warm blankets and a good book in winter. And in summer it could be sitting on a picnic blanket under a large tree with cool drinks to enjoy while reading.
3: Read slowly, it’s not a race
Remember the goal of reading is not to finish a book in a day, but rather enjoying that book over time. Reading slowly also allows your kids to follow the story better and to ask questions when they want. During step 1 you can mark sections of the book that you think you will be able to read in one sitting. This will enable you to add in time to discuss difficult words or concepts and for your kids to ask and answer questions about the story.
4: Use your voice
Using different voices for the different characters in the book will bring the characters to life in the minds of your kids. The character’s voices will help your kids to know which character is speaking and make it easier for them to follow the story. Voices also gives us an indication of what we are feeling, and this is also true for the characters in a book. If a character is feeling sad, make your voice sad and if a character is feeling excited let your voice tell your kids what the character is feeling. When you start reading it may feel funny using different voices, but once you get going it will be a lot of fun!
5: Use your face
Just like your voice, your face also expresses emotions. Place yourself in the character’s shoes and predicaments. If the character is angry, pull an angry face and if they are happy why not smile while you are reading. Using your face will keep you kids interested and glued to the story and your face. If your kids are focused on your face and voice it will make it easier for them to picture the characters in their minds. In turn this will allow them to picture the characters in their minds and grow their imaginations!
The alternatives
Everyone needs a break at some point and if you don’t have the time to read out loud then there are alternatives that you can look to. Audio books and podcasts are a great way to give your kids the reading aloud experience when you don’t have the time. Look at Amazon for audio books and platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcast for the perfect book/story for your kids. There are a lot of material out there from Disney stories to classic children’s stories read aloud by famous voices.
Reading aloud
Using the 5 tips for reading aloud to your kids above can make them and you love the experience. Make reading together a part of your routine at home! In the end reading aloud to your kids, no matter what their age, has a lot of benefits. From increasing creativity to being a bonding experience your kids, and you, will love reading together in a fun and comfy way. Check out Dario’s Story and learn more about how he came to the Giftlands farm.