Five reasons you should read aloud to your children - and pick their favorite book

Parents and caregivers know that young children love to have their favorite books read to them over and over again.  Although this may seem painful to some adults, children benefit greatly from frequently hearing the same books read aloud to them.  Research shows that this activity can:

• Improve reading fluency when good reading is modelled.  To help your child hear themselves as a fluent reader, choose a favorite book, and take turns reading a sentence or a repeated phrase.  You might read a sentence first, then your child repeats the same part.  
• Expand vocabulary knowledge.  Try flipping through the pages of a book and look for any interesting words that your child might not have heard before.  Talk about their meaning.
• Aid comprehension.  Having a conversation about a book or details in it can clarify what you just read with your child.
• Involve family members.  Moms, dads, grandparents, and older siblings can read to a younger child.  And don't forget to include younger siblings in the read aloud fun too!
• Make reading enjoyable!  Snuggling up with a good book and sharing this experience with your child is a valuable way to get them on the path to loving books.

Adapted from an article written by Ryan Spencer (Clinical Teaching Specialist) and published at The Conversation. Click on the link to read the full article.