In My Own Words

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reading aloud really all that important?
How do I make reading a part of our daily routine?
Are kids ever too old to be read to?
My children get bored when I try to read aloud. What can I do?
What if some kids have already read the book?
How can I keep kids interested?
How can I spice up stories?
Why do my children always want the same book?
I don't like how I sound when I read aloud. How else can I share books with my children?
Where can I find good books to read?
What's on the Web?

Is reading aloud really all that important?

Yes! Reading aloud to children helps them develop important emotional, social, and language skills. It influences a child's vocabulary, speech patterns, listening skills, attention span, reading, and writing. Reading aloud expands children's world beyond their own experiences. It introduces them to people and situations they might not otherwise encounter, and it helps them safely explore a variety of emotions. It's also one of the best ways to turn children into lifelong readers.

How do I make reading a part of our daily routine?

As with physical exercise, you want to start slowly. Your children will need time to adjust as well – don't be surprised if you hear some grumbles. But pretty soon, you'll all be looking forward to reading time!

Tip: Try to pick a time that will be uninterrupted by comings and goings. For example, don't schedule stories at times when lots of families are picking up or dropping off their children.

Tip: Use story time as a reward for being kind to one another, for helping clean up after an activity, or for other good behavior. As an added incentive, let children choose the book.

Are kids ever too old to be read to?

No! Children of any age enjoy being read to, although it may take longer to establish a routine with older children. Be patient and they'll come around.

My children get bored when I try to read aloud. What can I do?

For starters, make sure the book is a match for your children's ages and interests. Consider selecting something on a familiar theme or letting the children pick what book they want to read. Next, try reading for just a short period of time, say five minutes, since it can take a while to build up attention spans. Finally, consider letting your children draw quietly as you read. Some kids have a hard time sitting still to listen, but can follow the story if their hands are busy.

Tip: Not every book makes a good read-aloud. Books with lots of dialogue can be hard to read well, and small or intricate pictures may be difficult to see from a distance.

Tip: Sometimes children are simply too distracted to listen. There's nothing wrong with postponing story time so kids can stretch their limbs.

What if some kids have already read the book?

If some children already know the book, that's okay. Good books are worth rereading, and children will often get more out of a story the second time they hear it. Tell them it's like meeting an old friend again. Ask them to listen for details they might not have noticed the first time.

How can I keep kids interested?

You can keep children's interest in many ways – for instance, by reading in a soft voice with great anticipation in your tone. Children love to feel that they're discovering a story with you. Engage your kids by asking them questions and having a dialogue about the characters and events. Author Jim Trelease refers to this as "talking" a book instead of simply reading it. But perhaps the best way of capturing children's attention is to convey your own interest. If kids see that you're enthusiastic about a book, they will be too.

Tip: While you want children to be quiet enough to hear the story, you also want them to interact with it – which could lead to some excited fidgeting. Don't mistake this for boredom or restlessness!

How can I spice up stories?

You don't need to be a professional actor. Just ham it up a bit. Try using special voices when characters speak, something clearly different from the narrator's. Mimic the action in the book with the tone of your voice – if a character is tiptoeing down the hall, tiptoe in your reading. If someone is unhappy, show it with your voice and demeanor. When you sprinkle even a little bit of drama into your reading, you hook kids for good.

Why do my children always want the same book?

Children learn through repetition, so it's natural for them to want the same stories over and over. Each time, they pick up something different. (Have you ever watched a movie more than once? Did you discover anything new the second time around? It's the same with books.) As children become more familiar with a story, they start to absorb its richness – the rhythms of the language, the meaning of certain words, the tiny details that make the story special. When your children are sick of the story, they'll let you know. Until then, keep reading!

Tip: With young children, encourage them to chime in on predictable parts of a story, for instance by reciting a refrain or completing a rhyme.

I don't like how I sound when I read aloud. How else can I share books with my children?

Hearing yourself read aloud can feel strange, but try not to be too self-conscious. Children are happy for the time you're spending together. If you are truly uncomfortable, one option is to read picture books with your children. Talk about what you see, or ask the children to tell you a story that goes along with the pictures. Another alternative is to invite volunteers (parents, senior citizens, or high school students) to come read to your kids. You might also want to borrow books on tape from your local library. Listen along with your children and discuss the story together.

Where can I find good books to read?

There are a number of ways to find good children's books.

• The simplest place to start is by asking your local librarian for recommendations. He or she can respond to the interests of your child.
  
  
• Books that have won the Newbery or Caldecott award are usually excellent selections.
  
  
• The International Reading Association publishes a yearly list of Children's Choices.
  
  
• The Horn Book Magazine, School Library Journal, and ALA's Booklist print reviews of quality children's books.
  
  
• On the Internet, try the Children's Literature Web Guide.
  
  
• For perhaps the best selection of engaging read-alouds, look in The New Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, available at your local library or bookstore. (You can also try the trimmed-down online version.)