Storytelling for Kids: Why Reading Aloud Makes Kids Smart
Did you read to your children last night? You definitely should, because it’s fun - and makes learning easier for the children later on.
Brush your teeth, put on your pyjamas – and then, snuggled up close to mum or dad, it’s time for a bedtime story: Children who grow up with this ritual not only feel particularly secure, they also start life with a big advantage. Because reading aloud inspires the imagination, imparts knowledge, expands vocabulary, trains concentration and logical thinking, facilitates learning and trains social skills.
These are the best prerequisites for a healthy development of the little ones. Yet 40 percent of all children between one and eight are never or rarely read to. This was just revealed by the “Reading Aloud Monitor” of the German “Stiftung Lesen” (Reading Foundation), for which 800 parents were surveyed.
More self-confidence and understanding for others
As the study authors also emphasize, daycare centers have a particularly important role to play when it comes to reading aloud. An approach that we at globegarden wholeheartedly agree with. Like handicrafts, movement or learning through play, reading aloud sessions are a fixed part of our daily programme and are always inserted spontaneously when needed. We attach great importance to entering into dialogue with the children, involving them in the stories and encouraging them to exchange ideas with each other. This increases their own self-confidence, promotes understanding for each other and opens their horizons to the thoughts of others.
Not only toddlers love stories
The fact that parents are reading less and less to their children is often due to their own educational background. More than half of the parents in the study stated that they themselves had not been read to in childhood. Many mothers and fathers also believe that it is only important for children from about two years old until they start school to hear stories. However, according to the experts, even one-year-olds benefit from looking at and telling picture books together, and older children well into primary school age should still be read to. “Reading aloud lays the foundation for education and future opportunities like no other activity,” says Dr. Jörg F. Maas, Chief Executive Officer of Stiftung Lesen.
A love of reading for young and old
The most important prerequisite for this, however, is first and foremost: the availability of reading material suitable for children. As the study made clear, in a household where many children’s books are available, reading aloud is also more frequent.
We at globegarden are happy to help. Talk to us, we will be happy to give you tips on which books are particularly suitable for your child. We also have a lot of reading material that you can borrow.
And here are a few tips from our experts to ensure that reading aloud is a joyful experience for young and old alike.
- Create a cozy atmosphere when reading aloud - also for yourself.
- Read slowly and clearly and change the volume in between - exciting things in a quiet voice, cheerful things in a loud voice. Give different characters different ways of speaking.
- Every now and then, pause for a moment of suspense to arouse curiosity for more.
- Allow interludes, this proves that your child is following the story intently.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your child a question yourself.
- The reading time does not have to be the same every day, but can vary according to your child’s mood.
- With longer books, stop reading at an exciting point. A little “cliffhanger” like this makes the child look forward to the next reading session.
