Reading aloud to children…
- Helps vocabulary, knowledge and understanding to grow
- Helps the development and love of language
- Encourages creative writing, imagination and and the exploration of ideas
- Introduces new concepts and themes for discussion
- Helps develop concentration and paying attention
- Shows your child how much you enjoy and value books and reading yourself
- Encourages families to spend time together, to bond and share in calm, restful moments
- Supports formal literacy teaching at school
- Helps children to enjoy learning
- Encourages better behaviour and attendance, self-esteem, concentration and results
Evening Standard 23rd June 2011 reports :
Michael Bond, a perennial children’s favourite, began his writing career in 1945 after serving in the RAF during the Second World War. His first book, A Bear Called Paddington, hit the shelves in 1958.
The little Peruvian bear with a penchant for marmalade sandwiches became a national treasure and Bond, who still writes – and still lives near Paddington station – spoke poignantly about what it means to read with a child.
“I believe the most precious thing you can give a small child is your time,” he said. “Second only to that is the reading of a bedtime story last thing at night, for at that age reading is a shared experience that will last a lifetime.
“I was lucky enough to be brought up in a house where reading was as normal as eating and drinking, and it remains that way today. I believe this appetite for reading is a gift which can only be handed down by parents.”
He said he feels that to leave reading until a child starts school is a mistake, because “by then there are so many other distractions at the press of a button that it is often too late”.
But …
One in five parents cannot read aloud [London Evening Standard 9th June 2011]
The London Evening Standard has launched its Get London Reading campaign. It reports:
- One in five London parents has such poor literacy skills they cannot read a bedtime story to their children.
- The National Literacy Trust report that 370,000 mothers and fathers are not confident enough to read aloud – significantly reducing their child’s chances of learning to read.
- Hundreds of thousands of mothers and fathers in London … lack the confidence to read books to their children.
- “It is a tragedy. Every parent wants to best for their children – they have a vital role in developing their children’s literacy skills. Nursery rhymes, bedtime stories, word games and chatter with parents, grandparents and carers are the bedrock of children’s reading and writing.” Jonathan Douglas, director, the National Literacy Trust
- Today’s research highlights the crucial role parents play in encouraging their sons and daughters to read and write.
- Headteachers from the United Learning Trust, which runs 21 academy schools, said one-to-one reading can turn children’s lives around and urged parents to read to their children.
- “Reading transforms people’s lives.” Vanessa Gounden, businesswoman
- “My favourite time of day is when I read to my children, or just recently, listen to my son read to me.” Laura Bailey, model and writer
- “There’s nothing more important than getting children to read.” Daisy Goodwin, TV poetry presenter
- “It is never too late to start.” Oli Tomlinson, head of Paddington Academy
Follow the campaign to get London reading at www.standard.co.uk.
What are the consequences of failing to develop a love of reading, language and literature?
PM Magazine June 2011 reports:
“Employers have serious concerns about the basic skills of school and college leavers and many have had to use remedial training as a result, according to a survey from the CBI. The survey of 566 employers found that 42% are not satisfied with the basic use of English by school and college leavers, 35% are concerned with basic numeracy skills and 44% have had to invest in remedial training for school and college leavers.”
Reading-aloud skills can be developed to enhance your and your children’s enjoyment. Speaking Well In Public’s Reading to Children course can help.