Reading orally is one important thing for parents to do over the summer months. It benefits children of all ages. Oral reading builds many beneficial skills. It builds a strong foundation for literacy. Additionally, oral reading creates fluency in a child’s reading. As adults read with expression, it demonstrates an understanding of text and meaning of words. Therefore, the use of expression while reading is important for students to hear. Plus. reading aloud helps students learn that reading for pleasure is enjoyable.
Reading Orally Benefit Adults
Not only is reading aloud good for children, but many adults also benefit from oral reading. Research suggests that reading aloud has cognitive benefits that are good for experienced readers. A publication by Colin Macleod and Noah Forrin found that reading words aloud makes it easier to remember compared to silent reading. Studies find that memory retention is strongest when directly reading aloud. The impact comes from hearing and speaking the written words.
Vocabulary Building
The children that go to school with a large vocabulary do well academically. The reason being, they are constantly given oral instructions. As oral instructions are given often, children tend to build a large vocabulary. This is the same as reading aloud to children of all ages. It takes until a child is in the eighth grade for his listening vocabulary to reach his reading vocabulary.
Other Benefits
Reading to children of all ages helps children understand various emotions. It provides them with solutions to various problems. Therefore, they understand they are not alone with negative emotions. Also, reading develops empathy for others.
Most students love the sound of oral language. Reading out loud to children stimulates the imagination. This gives children a broader perspective of the world. Through listening to written text, it prepares children to understand printed words.
The long term benefits of reading to children of all ages are insurmountable. Make reading out loud a routine. This helps in the relaxation process. Simply reading to children or even to adults bonds people together.
