World Read Aloud Day ~By Suzy Leopold

World Read Aloud Day is celebrated every year on the first Wednesday in March.

World Read Aloud Day

It is a global program designed to encourage kids to read. It is about the importance of read alouds in school and at home. It is about the power of words, especially when words are shared with others through literacy.

For more information about World Read aloud Day check out this link at LitWorld.

A Message to Parents: There are many factors that play a role in the early brain and development of a child. Numerous studies conducted found that beginning from birth and continuing throughout early childhood, children’s cognitive development was affected by a family’s daily routine of parent-child interactions, along with early education activities. These support the importance of early literacy and the benefits of lifelong learners.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all parents read to their children from birth. During well child check ups parents are encouraged by pediatricians to read to their children. A child’s introduction to literature and literacy cannot begin too soon.

Reading aloud is one of the best ways you can help your child learn how to read. It is a major resource in the acquisition of literacy. Model for your kids the love for the written word. Let them see you reading books, magazines and newspapers for enjoyment and new learning. Dispel the thought of kids who equate reading as work, not fun. Consider giving gifts to kids as presents for birthdays and during holidays. 

Take the time to read aloud to your infant and young child. Continue to read with your school aged children even after they can read themselves. Take turns reading together. It is important for kids to hear more complex words from books during a read aloud that they might not read on their own.

I Read!

So often during middle school and high school, kids who grew up devouring books, may not find time to read for pleasure due to school assignments, extra curricular activities, and too much screen time. Kids of all ages should read for pleasure.

My suggestion to Moms and Dads is clear and simple: read to your children, read with them and encourage them to read. This is your time together. It is time well spent that equals success. The best thing parents can do to encourage children to love books is through read alouds.

A Message to Educators: The demands of a teacher are great and can be overwhelming. Both you and your students are expected to perform. There is nothing more important than scheduled daily read alouds reflected in your lesson plans. Students of all ages should be read to. 

As an educator, we have an obligation to share with families the importance of books and that books are written for kids. Promotion for the importance of literacy needs be shared with students and parents. 

Sharing quality read alouds in the classroom and providing student opportunities for pleasure reading develops background knowledge for all kinds of topics, sophisticated language, comprehension, and higher order thinking skills.

Mrs. Sue Reads
The Twelve Days of Christmas
in Minnesota
By Constance Van Hoven

Teenagers who are read to in the classroom, are more likely to read frequently for pleasure and on their own. When a classroom teacher or entire campus dedicate independent reading time, kids are more likely to read for enjoyment. During independent reading time, students should be allowed to read for fun. Students should read a book of their choosing that is not for an assigned class reading.

With much success many school districts encourage teachers to include time in the day for students to select books of their choice and read for a designated time. 

Time spent reading, at home and at school for at least five days a week, with young children and students of all ages is so important. It grooms them to read more on their own. Kids who are read to daily, at school and at home become frequent readers and adult readers. These readers equal literate, successful adults.

My suggestion to educators is clear and simple; read to your students, read with them and encourage them to read.

Enjoyment is a synonym for engagement. Engagement is essential in learning, growing and acquiring new knowledge. Read alouds provide engagement. Pick up a book and read. Pick up a book and read to and with children. Doing so will open the doors to many enjoyable possibilities and pleasures. Reading to and with children is an investment in their future.

And finally, a Message to Writers: There are many benefits of reading aloud for a writer. Reading a WIP aloud gives clues to a writer of places in a story that need editing. As you read your manuscript aloud, think about your reading. Don't just listen to yourself reading aloud; hear yourself reading the words. Are there words that you trip over or don't sound quite right? Do you note any phrases that cause you to stumble? Those places need to be cut or rewritten. 

Read alouds improves dialogue in your manuscript. Think about the dialogue of your characters. When your characters are actually speaking, you realize that they wouldn't quite say it that way. Perhaps there are some words that sound confusing or are out of place. Time to edit. 

You get a sense of pacing when reading your WIP aloud. You may even note some punctuation errors and typos that your brain read correctly while reading silently. Time for some corrections.

While reading aloud, you realize you need to take a deep breath during the middle of a long sentence. Consider adjusting and rewrite as two sentences.

Reading picture books aloud and studying them encourages a writer to be a better writer. Spend time reading picture books aloud and use them as mentor texts with your own writing. Read a lot of them. Picture books have a unique cadence and rhythm and are meant to be read aloud. Read aloud recently published picture books to hear the hook, the beginning, the middle and the satisfying ending. Listen and notice what works in these books for ideas for your own writing.

A tall stack of picture books
Time to raise your voice and
share a read aloud.

Time to read your manuscript aloud.

Time to  motivate kids, teens and adults with the power of the written word. Show children that we believe in their future. They have the right to read, to write, to create and share words to make the world a better place. Time to add reading aloud to your writer's tool box.

Share the love of literacy with a read aloud today and every day. What book[s] are you reading aloud today?