This is what happens when teachers read aloud:
It begins with a child, grows into groups of children,
and then the children ‘take over’, reading on their own.
Reading one-on-one
Reading in groups
The more I read aloud, the more I empower children to read. I don’t teach children how to read. I give them them the passion to want to read. And they do, long before they know how to read.
I catch them reading to Gloria, and reading to each other.
I catch them setting up chairs so they can read on their own.
Chapter reading comes next. There are no pictures, the words become the magic that make the pictures. Chapter reading ‘sticks’ more than picture books. It’s what children remember most of all. Really!
It’s what parents tell me, and they continue reading aloud.
I have often told the story of my first day teaching, when my head teacher put a picture book in my hands and asked me to be the one who reads to children every day. As soon as I read that book to children – Swimmy, by Leo Lionni – I was hooked, and I knew I had been given a great gift.
Reading aloud is more than just reading a book to a child. For most parents, it is a pleasurable and bonding time. But, that’s the tip of the iceberg. The more words a child hears, the better s/he will do in all academic areas in school. All. Now, doesn’t that make a parent want to run to the library? As the number of words a child hears continues to grow, so does the need for reading aloud. Sadly, many parents stop reading to their children once their child is able to read on their own.
The mind of a child can understand and process far more of the subtle underlying messages of a book when hearing the words, rather than reading the words. That’s why I can read Charlotte’s Web to preschoolers; they understand far more with oral words. Parents and teachers should read aloud to their children long after the children can read on their own. Reading aloud Because of Winn-Dixie and The Wild Robot should happen in every elementary school classroom. Reading aloud Wonder should happen in every upper grade classroom. If a teacher cries, all the better, because that’s a subtle message – one that’s not directly written – and becomes a beacon of understanding. The head of the English Department at the Prep School in town reads aloud to her high school seniors. Lights off, heads down on desks, just like I do at chapter reading in my preschool class.
I know how hard it is to make the time for reading aloud at home. Here is a new toy that gets my vote. It’s called Toniebox. It reads stories, tells stories, and lets children record their own stories. It has classic and popular books, plus characters children love telling stories.
Today at school I read aloud a classic, favorite book, The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson. Next, children could listen to the story read aloud on their own. All they had to do was put the Gruffalo character on top of the Toniebox.
Children get to hear the words, much like in chapter reading. The quality of sound and ease of use is terrific. We love it in the classroom, and recommend it to parents.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Yes! To all of this, Jennie 🤗
I knew you would get this! 😀
To be able to reach children through tuition or reading, is a gift. My schooling was very patchy because of WW11 (seven schools…) It must have been very hard for the teachers and pupils, but we always had books at home and I joined the library and DEVOURED them..Still do! xx
Joy, isn’t it wonderful that the thread you remember of your seven WWII schools is books and reading? That is a testament. Yes, it must have been very hard for the teachers and students. Thank goodness for libraries! One of my greatest pleasures is reading aloud at our public library. The group is diverse in every way, including age….but when I read aloud, we are one.
With you all the way!
Yes! And thank you.
A priceless gift
You know that well!
Keep preaching your passion because it is important for a better tomorrow.
Yes, it is. I will continue to preach my passion, because….well, ‘because’ is a long list. 😀
Imagination goes wild (at least it did for me), when a book is read aloud.
It really does, GP. Thank you for saying that. Wild imaginations are the foundation for greatness. I think your dad is a case in point.
Yes, Thank you. Dad’s imagination always astounded me!
That’s wonderful!
📖📖
Love this and love the way you stir the imagination of these young minds in such a positive way!
Thank you so much, John. You can tell I love what I do!
“Tonies” seems to be a great learning tool enhancement – using relevant technology that kids are navigating in everyday life – without being a *substitute* for the real deal of human storytime reading. (Remember that weird talking bedtime bear of the 80s? ick)
Yes, I remember that bear! While nothing replaces the human element of reading aloud, Tonies is a quality read-aloud with a character. When a child knows and loves a book, this is perfect.
I’d still prefer to have Jennie read, but Tonies sounds like a nice idea. As long as it’s not used as a way to get out of reading.
I agree with you, Dan.
That’s so nice, Dan. Thank you. Toniebox is a big help to teachers and parents to add more reading time, not replace it. Of course there will always be families who use it to get out of reading. Sigh. Okay- question. You talk about Jennie reading, I was thinking of reading aloud Gloria’s journal as a blog post and showing photos. Thoughts?
That would be wonderful. I just completed a journal entry (kinda) for Skippy the bartender, for Teagan’s creativity challenge. The response has been great. So if Skippy can make people feel good, imaging what Gloria can do.
Thanks, Dan. Yes, if Skippy can do it, Gloria can too. 🙂
I think you are the world’s best advocate for reading aloud, and the proof is in your success at educating children and making them see their world in a different way.
Best wishes, Pete.
What a nice thing to say, Pete. Thank you!
I think reading aloud also helps with writing (for both children and adults). We gain a good appreciation for the cadence of sentences and the “mouth-feel” of words.
Yes, it definitely does!!
😀
Wonderful post, Jennie. We read aloud to our kids and both did well in school and have excellent vocabularies. I think reading aloud was the base for their success. You’re right on.
Thanks so much, Steve. You are right, and I wish everyone had a bullhorn to shout it out to parents and teachers. Your children are proof.
Agreed. My father read to us kids when we were little and we all grew up to be readers.
Proof! Thank you, Brian.
Reading a book aloud gives reality to the fantasy. Pictures start to form in the mind and they become true. The greatest gift my parents ever gave me was the curiosity to read.
Beautifully said, Pam. It is a gift, and so easy to give.
It is a gift that can be passed on to others again and again.
Yes, it is!
Lovely advice! My brother and sister-in-law are raising a little girl who is learning to read. She would probaby love one of the Tonie boxes.
Thank you! It is a quality toy and adds to the parent reading.
Never underestimate the power of reading out loud. No matter how busy I was, I always took time to read to my children. The family tradition continues.
Amen! Thank you, Darlene. On a side note, a friend has been borrowing my Amanda books to read before she goes to bed. Nice!
Thanks for letting me know. I love that my books are being read.
Yes, they are! I tell parents and children all the time. Thank goodness our library has the Amanda books. 🙂
😊
Wonderful post, Jennie. I’m going to look up the Toniebox it looks like something Littlest would enjoy.
Thank you, Deborah. It is a quality toy and adds to parent reading.
A family dinner and reading aloud were the everyday activities in our house as the children were growing up. I look back on them as two concrete reasons why we are who we are today
Concrete. That’s an excellent word, and perfectly describes the why. Speaking of family dinners, I have written before about the study result of finding a common denominator among National Merit Scholars. There is only one. One! They all had dinner together with their families at least four times a week. Big wow!
The catch-uptime is priceless. Gives kids the opportunity to talk about what is going on in their lives as well as catch up with the adult happenings. Like a staff meeting for the family.
Exactly!
😁
Beautiful advice Jennie.
Thank you, Brian.
what a wonderful post, I always read aloud to the boys when they were young. All three of them…. They are all readers and the youngest reads to both his sons who are readers too. I love to read to the grandchildren so much it brings us closer.
Our eldest lad a very quick and maths minded child memoriesed what the writing on food packets said. He’d read aloud to me…. sometimes he’d memorised what I read to him, sometimes he made up a story to fit the pictures.
Our middle lad is dyslexic…helping him to learn to read was a long and complicated story for another time. But I am delighted to say he is now as a grown man an avid reader.
keep being a wonderful teacher Jennie 💜
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I loved reading this about your boys!! Reading aloud makes a difference no matter the child’s personality or ability. Everyone wins! At school I have chatterboxes, quiet ones, active ones, distracted ones…it’s a long list. But when I gather the children to read, we are ‘one’, and those words reach them all. It makes all the difference in the world, as you know. Thank you, Willow, 💕
Thank you for listening Jennie 💜🙏
My pleasure! 💕
💜💜😂
Great post Jennie. I read aloud to my students all the time, even my grade 8s. They loved it.
I’m so glad to know that, Carla, especially your grade 8! 😀
Loved READING this post. It’s a beautiful reminder of how the love of reading is inculcated! And the Gruffalo – so good!
Thanks so much, Wynne! You are absolutely right about reading, and also The Gruffalo.
Shh! (Just found out this weekend that we’ve got a grandson coming in May.) They haven’t made it public yet, so I’m not broadcasting it on Facebook or my blog. I have many fabulous memories of reading with Ryan and look forward to future moments like this with my grandson.
I am beyond excited!!! 😍 My lips are sealed- promise. Remember, I am sending their first books. Reading aloud Goodnight Moon in utero has a profound impact on bonding and more. Can I send my books right after Christmas? You will have many, many wonderful moments ahead, Pete. So, they know it’s a boy?
Anytime you want to send the book would be great. Yep, they know it’s a boy. They’ve also picked out a name but haven’t told anyone yet.
So exciting! I will send a package right after Christmas. Can I send it to you to deliver?
Sure. Thank you, my friend.
You’re very welcome!😍
Brilliant. Exactly right!
Thank you, Opher!
The evolution of a reader, Jennie. They are easy to grow from scratch, and with a little nurturing, before you know it… all they need are books. A lovely post, my friend. I’m smiling.
Hear, hear! I little nurturing and voila! Glad you enjoyed the post and smiled, Diana. Thank you!
Wonderful post, Jennie. So true.
Thank you, Norah. This is right up your alley.
It definitely is. 🙂
😀
Nice 👌
Thank you.
A nice way to teach children, Jennie. It is very important for them to read and knowledge also is good for the children.
Thank you, Kamal. You are right!
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏😊😊
Jennie, this post is a jewel — and so are you. Hugs.
Awww… thanks so much, Teagan. 🥰
I absolutely love this and couldn’t agree more with what you wrote!!
Thank you!
I love your amazing and inspirational posts Jennie. But I’m also loving the sound of the Toni reading machine. What a great idea. When I buy gifts for little ones, I always buy something educational. This is perfect. ❤
I’m so glad! 😍
❤
I love The Gruffalo. Sister Agatha used to read to the class. I don’t recall any other teacher doing so.
I’m glad to know you love that book. Of course Sister Agatha read it to the class; she’s a great teacher. BTW, have you ever contacted her to tell her all the things you told me? It would mean the world to her.
Hi Jennie, Sister Agatha was already in her 60s when she taught me. We moved away from George when I finished primary school and by the time I was able to go back and visit. All the nuns I knew and Father Muike had passed. Father Muike features in my book, Through the Nethergate.
Thank you for telling me, Robbie.
Children need love, praise when praise is due, and encouragement to improve their talents. Given these three things they will all flourish. Sadly, not all children get this start in life. Jennie, I’m glad children have you as a teacher, as you understand what they need.
That’s so nice, Stevie. Thank you. It really is very simple to do, and children will definitely flourish. As I type this, our handyman needs to stop by to measure some tiles…and he’s bringing along his children so I can meet them and play with them. 🙂
Lovely!
🙂
Dear Jennie
we love reading aloud and we love to be read to.
Up to the late Middle Ages, the few people who could read always read aloud even when on their own. Reading as a highly personal or intimate process is new.
Reading aloud has the advantage to notice immediately when the language of a text is not right. It has the disadvantage that it slows down reading, even when you read voiceless.
Wishing you a happy week
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Well said! Sometimes the slowing down of reading allows the words to manifest, perhaps become more meaningful, because the mind has time to digest their meaning. Reading aloud may slow down reading, but it can create a better understanding of the words. For young children, reading aloud allows them to make the pictures of what is happening in the story, in their heads. All the best, and thank you for your comment. 🙂