Celebrating National Book Month: The Power of Reading Aloud to Young Children

October is National Book Month, a time to celebrate reading, writing, and literature. As early childhood educators and caregivers, you know that reading to children is one of the most impactful ways to support their growth and development. But what makes reading aloud so powerful, especially for young children? And why should we continue to do it, even as they start reading on their own?

In this post, we’ll explore the science behind reading aloud, highlight some must-read books, and share tips for making the most of your read-aloud time in your classroom, at home and anywhere in between. 

The Importance of Reading Aloud to Young Children

Reading aloud is much more than simply sharing a story—it's an opportunity to build bonds with the children in your care and foster a lifelong love of reading. Through reading aloud, children are exposed to the sounds and rhythms of language, which is essential for language development. It’s not just about listening, either; reading aloud helps children develop concentration, imagination, and the foundational literacy skills they’ll need for success in school and beyond. “From birth to 24 months, we are not talking about teaching children how to read. The focus is on laying a strong foundation for later reading,” Amy Brooks Read and Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting explain in “Time For a Story: Sharing Books with Infants and Toddlers.”

Reading aloud shouldn’t end as soon as children can read independently. Continuing to read aloud as they grow exposes them to more advanced vocabulary, more complex sentence structures, and deeper themes than they might encounter in their independent reading. This builds critical thinking skills and nurtures curiosity and empathy.

“The most important item or tool that a teacher or parent has in preparing children for later reading success is a book.”

– Amy Brooks Read and Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting, Time for a Story: Sharing Books with Infants and Toddlers

The Science Behind Reading Aloud

Research has shown that reading to young children has profound effects on their brain development. According to studies, reading aloud stimulates the areas of the brain associated with language and literacy, helping children build vocabulary and narrative skills. This is especially critical for children ages 0-5, as their brains are at peak receptiveness to new words and sounds during these early years.

Reading aloud also enhances a child’s ability to process language, which is a crucial skill for learning to read independently. Studies indicate that children who are regularly read to from an early age are more likely to become proficient readers and succeed academically.

Books That Make a Difference

For anyone looking to learn more about the importance of reading aloud, there are several indispensable books to consider:

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

This book is a classic for a reason. It was first released more than 30 years ago, and Trelease has issued 9 revised versions over the years. His latest edition is always current and filled with timely, applicable research and information. The research around reading and literacy in childhood is expanding and changing rapidly, with the introduction of tablets, e-books and audiobooks. 

The Read-Aloud Handbook also features extensive book lists and book reviews by age and grade. These are updated with new titles in each edition as well. So, if you’re looking for a proven winner to begin your read-aloud journey at home or in your classroom, this guide has you covered. As Trelease says in the book, “this isn’t a book about teaching a child how to read. It’s about teaching a child to want to read.”

Trelease offers loads of practical advice on how to make reading aloud engaging and inspiring. It’s packed with insights and is a must-read for anyone working with children. If you only read one book on reading aloud, this is the one. 

Reading Magic by Mem Fox

Fox, an international literacy consultant, former teacher, prolific children’s book author, and mother, explores the magic of reading aloud and explains why it’s such a powerful tool for child development. Her book provides clear, practical tips on making reading a magical experience for children. She shares many personal anecdotes of her time as a young teacher and mother reading to her students and children and has many suggestions to help you choose the right books to read aloud. Fox is excited about this, and she wants you to be, too!

To her, reading aloud to kids just makes sense, from an academic, parental, and economic perspective. She writes, "Reading aloud to our babies and young children will make the entire country better off. Governments now realize that by providing attention, time, and funds to promote early literacy, less of their budgets later will need to be spent on illiteracy, crime, depression, unemployment, and welfare benefits. The cost-effectiveness of reading aloud to the very young is phenomenal, and governments love that kind of read-aloud news."

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

When Alice Ozma was in 4th grade, she and her father decided to see if he could read aloud to her for 100 consecutive nights. On the hundredth night, they shared pancakes to celebrate, but it soon became evident that neither wanted to let go of their storytelling ritual. So, they decided to continue what they called "The Streak." Alice's father read aloud to her every night without fail until the day she left for college.

While not a scholarly or reference book, this touching memoir offers many ideas for titles to read aloud and what to do if you have a slump, if nobody likes a chosen book, and how to persevere when children complain of boredom (hint: It won’t happen often!) It’s a beautiful story about how reading can create lasting memories and deepen relationships.

The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie

Mackenzie’s book emphasizes the importance of family read-alouds, showing how reading can bring families closer together. Although the book is written from a Christian perspective, its message about the value of family bonding through books is relevant, no matter your beliefs. She explores how reading to children can be a way to pass along shared values and develop empathy and compassion in children. Even though it focuses on reading within the family home, Mackenzie’s book lists and suggestions for read-alouds will be valuable to teachers and caregivers in all settings. 

Time for a Story: Sharing Books With Infants and Toddlers by Amy Brooks Read and Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting

Time for a Story is aimed at early childhood educators, and explores fun and engaging ways to talk, sing, read, write and play with young children throughout the day. The authors describe a variety of types and styles of books to address specific early literacy practices. They also provide a template for storytime activities, and numerous sample book lists for various ages, seasons and situations. 

What Books to Read Aloud

As for choosing which books to read aloud? That’s something only you can decide. The best place to start is to think about the age and attention span of your average listener. It’s a lot different reading to a group of 2-year-olds versus a group of 9-year-olds. Many lists are available on various websites if you just search for “books to read aloud to preschoolers” (sub in your appropriate age group or grade level). You’ll find suggestions to try, and you might even think of some of your own childhood favorites!

When and How to Read Aloud to Children

So, when is the best time to read aloud? The short answer: any time! Consistent routines, like bedtime stories, are ideal, but reading throughout the day can be just as impactful. Waiting rooms, grocery store lines, and even mealtimes can all be opportunities for a quick story.

As for book selection, it’s important to choose age-appropriate books. For infants and toddlers, look for books with rhymes, repetition, and bright illustrations. As children grow, you can introduce longer, more complex stories that encourage them to think and ask questions.

Why Reading Aloud Should Continue as Children Grow Older

Reading aloud to older children continues to offer numerous benefits. As children grow, so do their cognitive abilities and their capacity to understand more sophisticated ideas. By reading books with challenging vocabulary and complex themes, you’re helping them expand their knowledge and comprehension skills.

Plus, reading together gives you a chance to discuss important topics and share different perspectives. As children grow into their tween and teen years, sometimes getting them to open up and talk can be a challenge. Let books and stories be a gateway to great conversations that will let you inside a child’s world. It’s also an opportunity to nurture a shared love of reading that can last a lifetime.

Additional Tips and Takeaways

To make your read-aloud sessions interactive, try asking questions throughout the story, encouraging predictions, or acting out parts of the book together. The goal is to make the experience as engaging as possible, helping children feel invested in the story.

And remember, you don’t need any special training to read aloud—just a willingness to dive into a story and share it with your little ones. Reading aloud is a powerful, accessible way to nurture a child’s development and foster a love for books. This National Book Month, celebrate by picking up a book and reading it aloud to the young children in your life. You’ll be amazed at the impact it can have—not only on their literacy skills but also on their love of reading and their bond with you.

Check out other books about teaching literacy to young children from Gryphon House.