While research shows that reading aloud is the most important tool for preparing kids for learning and reading independently, the benefits of reading aloud go far beyond literacy skills.
Brain Boost – when you read to kids, you’re helping their brain grow in all the right ways: enhancing imagination, improving story comprehension and strengthening language skills.
Growing Future Readers – The more stories that little listeners hear, the more interested in books they become, and in turn, motivated to become readers themselves and continue this habit for a lifetime.
Cool As a Cucumber – reading aloud is linked to lower levels of hyperactivity and aggression. It helps kids express their feelings better and manage tricky emotions.
Word Wizards – reading aloud exposes kids to new words they might not hear in everyday conversations. Plus, it sharpens their pronunciation and helps them master language rules.
Listening Ears – active listening builds kids’ comprehension and attention span. It’s a skill they’ll benefit from throughout their entire life!
Problem Solvers – As kids listen to a story read aloud and predict how the characters in a story may solve a problem or what they could have done differently, they are building strong critical thinking skills.
Imagination Explosion – reading aloud to children exposes them to places they’ve never visited, ideas they’ve never thought of and characters unlike anyone they’ve ever met in real life. When reading a story together, you never know what aspect may take root in little minds and grow beyond your wildest dreams.
Learning Empathy – as little ears listen to a story and connect with characters and situations, they develop the ability to see things from a new perspective. As you read together reflect on how the characters feel and pause to let your little one ask questions.
Building Bonds – hearing a story read aloud has the powerful ability to help wiggly little ones settle and calm down, nurturing feelings of comfort and connection. A child’s love of books is often closely tied to the special memories of those they love taking the time to read to them.
But what about long-distance families? How can you stay close and support kids’ growth from miles away? Tapping into the benefits of technology opens up a world of possibilities for reading aloud together no matter the distance.
- Set up virtual reading “dates” either by video or phone call where you can read a story to the little one in your life. Work with parents to identify a busy time of day where you can help entertain the kids by reading or help them settle down with story.
- Send a care package with a hard copy of a book, then read your own copy of that same book to them over a video chat while they flip through the pages on their end.
- Bring a book to life with the sound of your voice by narrating a Make Momentos recordable e-book and let your grandchild read along with you anytime, anywhere. Surprise little ones with a personalized e-book they can play over and over again
Reading aloud to kids not only builds little brains but also helps boost connectedness and strengthens bonds. With a little bit of creativity, long-distance families don't need to miss out on critical read-aloud benefits.