5 Reasons to Listen to Your Child Read Aloud
Why should you listen to your child read aloud—especially after he’s already become an independent reader?
For many reading students who come to me for tutoring, the parents know the child struggles in reading, based on:
The child’s teacher told them (either verbally or through a grade)
The child doesn’t have an interest in reading (probably because it’s difficult and draining)
However, I continually find that these 3rd, 4th, and even 5th graders no longer read aloud to ANYONE!
By those grade levels, the teacher rarely (if ever) meets one-on-one with students to talk about reading. They expect the children to already know how to read by then and are more focused on other skills in preparation for BIG STATE TESTS.
The parents are wrapped up in keeping grades afloat and getting homework done with the child amidst busy evening schedules throughout the week.
Basically, for the unmotivated reader, there isn’t anymore practice actually reading aloud to someone.
So, with that said, how will it help if you take some time each week to allow your child to read aloud with you?
You see what words or word parts the child is struggling to read or “decode.”
You will never know what words your child is skipping, substituting, or pronouncing incorrectly if he only reads “to himself.” To be honest, you won’t even be sure he is technically reading without some sort of accountability.
All of the aforementioned reading errors affect the comprehension a child has of the reading material—whether it be a chapter book, a Bible, or even a science textbook!
You have an opportunity to ask some general understanding questions (reading comprehension) to see if they “get what they are reading.”
Some children can read aloud beautifully and perfectly pronounce all the words but still struggle to:
a. Remember what was read.
b. Understand what was read.
Get a Read Aloud Handy Helper for ideas! In my online store, you can purchase a guide to help you know what sort of conversations to have with your child during reading. Be sure to check it out!
Side note: Discussions also provide extra opportunities to bond with your child and build empathy over what the characters are facing or discuss values and ethics over actions in the story.
You can help your child learn to say new words in the text that might require an explanation (learning vocabulary).
Recently we were reading aloud a Bible reading plan. My 7 year old read some Psalms (I eventually had to take over for her). My 9 year old read some Matthew, and my 13 year old read some Acts. When my 13 year old encountered the word “piety,” he mispronounced it. Having never heard it before, he didn’t even know that he mispronounced it. We discussed what it means and the word “pious” as well, using them both in a sentence for context. So valuable! (This is completely different from writing out definitions for a vocabulary test, but let me assure you that it works!). I told him by reading aloud to me, he can learn those words and when he reads aloud in a public setting, he will be more likely to already know those words.
You might not listen to your older child read AS MUCH as your beginning reader, but don’t stop altogether.
Your child is gaining practice to become confident and fluent.
Having time set aside to listen to your child read ensures that your child will actually read. You heard it. You witnessed it. If it was 3 times in a week and your child still needs improvement, you can adjust it to be more frequent. If your child is excelling and doing quite well, you can free up that time for other things. Just don’t stop completely. Still check in from time to time. It is a beneficial practice to be in the habit of reading, as we can learn so much in life from books and the written word in general.
Reading is a skill, and children who barely pick up a book to read it just aren’t getting practice to become fluent. For some tutoring students I meet, they have all the necessary sub skills to sound out words. They just lack the reading practice time.
You’re providing opportunities for your child to explore reading through a favorite genre.
Sometimes children don’t enjoy reading simply because they haven’t found a favorite genre. Not everyone loves novels. Some people enjoy nonfiction readings in topics such as history or science. When you make reading a habit with your child, you can try out different genres and authors until you find something that sparks your child’s interest.
Did I miss anything?
Leave a comment below.
Be sure to check out The Parent Teacher Bridge on Youtube!
Remember, You are your child’s most influential teacher!