On Wednesday, 3rd of February World Read Aloud Day is celebrated around the World. It challenges participants to grab a book and an audience (however big or small) and read aloud to them! The day is about bringing people together through stories and highlights the importance of reading to children.
World Read Aloud Day can be celebrated from home. There are lots of opportunities to read aloud to the children as well as for them to read aloud to you. For example, you could arrange for staff members to do a Facebook Live for the children. You could also pre-record staff members reading a story and send it privately to the families.
In addition, you could encourage the families to record the children reading their favourite book aloud. You could (with permission) share the videos with other families. This is another good opportunity for the children to see and hear their friends who they are missing right now. Furthermore, there are many familiar children's authors who often record videos of them reading one of their books. For example, this recording of the Teeny Weeny Genie by Julia Donaldson or this recording of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Why Should We Read Aloud to Young children?
Sharing stories often begins with reading aloud to young children. Reading aloud to children of all ages creates a number of learning opportunities for them. Here are some important benefits:
- Develops a bond between Caregiver and child - Reading a story to a child may not take very long but the quality of that time spent together cannot be underestimated. It brings the child and adult together to explore and discuss many topics. This in turn helps the child to develop their social, communication and interpersonal skills. For the adult, it provides an opportunity to understand the child more. They will learn what interests the child, what makes them giggle and what engages them. For the child, it lets them know that they have the full attention of the caregiver. This sends them a message of love and comfort. It also allows them to learn what makes the caregiver laugh, cry or even cringe!
- Develops improved vocabulary - From birth children acquire language skills from listening to those around them. Reading aloud to children allows them to hear new words regularly but often in various contexts. This builds their vocabulary and allows them to develop awareness of language and how to use it.
- Increases attention span - There is a slower unfolding of events and ideas with story telling. This encourages children to listen, concentrate and pay attention. Continued reading to children gradually improves their listening skills and increases their attention span.
- Provides a safe way to explore emotions - Reading stories about a particular emotion helps children to understand their own emotions. It also helps them to understand how others might be feeling. By reading aloud together it can help children to feel more comfortable talking about how they feel to others.
- Develops a lifetime interest in reading - If you read to children from a young age they are more likely to grow into the habit of reading. If they associate books with happy memories they are more likely to persist with reading.
- Encourages imagination and creativity - Reading to children allows them to picture how they see the story in their mind. Through the story they are able to experience something that they may not be able to in their everyday life. This builds on their imagination and strengthens their creativity.
- Provides enjoyment - Reading to children has a positive effect on their mood and mental health. They generally love being read to as it provides a happy feeling inside. When they associate this happy feeling with reading they will continue to read.
To celebrate World Read Aloud Day why not give your families a special story-time gift for FREE! Simply download and share our brand new little story of hope called, ‘COVID, Callum & Grandad Rory.’ This story can be revisited in the setting on the children’s return to assist with their transition back. This free resource is available in both animated and story book format. Encourage your families to read this to the children at home. For more information on World Read Aloud Day you can go to their website here.
