Never Too Old for Reading Aloud Together

By Carolyn Greenberg, Director of Page by Page Learning

If you are a parent, chances are excellent that you have read aloud to your child. Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report shows that 55 percent of parents read aloud to their children under 6 almost every day. Yet, reading aloud peaks at 5 years old and decreases dramatically after age 8. Many parents say they stop reading aloud to children when they know how to read on their own. Certainly, homework demands and busy schedules play a role in the drop as well. Another reason may be that most parents do not realize the immense benefits of reading aloud with their older children. 

Here are 6 reasons why you should consider revisiting reading aloud to your kids ages 9 and up…

When parents read aloud, kids can experience richer, more complex texts than they can access on their own. Children’s “listening level” is higher than their independent reading level. When you are doing the reading, you remove the challenge of reading difficult words, leaving more brain energy for your child to comprehend the meaning and message of the text. In addition, you are there to answer questions about any unfamiliar vocabulary and other confusions. This opens up a world of reading material that your child would not be able to process and enjoy independently. 

Kids need positive reading role models at this impressionable age. Whether they admit it or not, tweens and teens are always watching their parents and learning from their behavior. Taking the time to read to them sends a strong message that you find reading enjoyable and important. You are also reminding your child that spending time with them is enjoyable and important as well.  

Reading aloud is an incredibly powerful teaching tool.Simply by listening to you read and interacting with the material with you, your child will become a better reader themselves. They will expand their vocabulary, build background knowledge, and increase familiarity with the genres in which you read. They will become deeper thinkers and strengthen their capacity to comprehend when they read on their own. You do not to have to explicitly teach anything, in fact, we suggest you avoid that as a general rule. The read aloud experience alone will nurture your child’s growth as a reader. 

Reading together gives parents and children something meaningful to talk about together. You may find that conversations with your child too often center around logistics and giving orders. (Time for practice!...Make sure you clean your room!...Have you finished your homework?...etc.) Sometimes it is hard to get tweens and teens to talk much at all. Discussing what you read together offers opportunity for rich, meaningful conversation. Whether you are reading about fictional characters, famous people, current events, or any other topic, you can share what the reading authentically makes you think, feel, wonder, and desire. You may learn more about your child and how they think than you ever knew, and vice versa. 

Literature is a great entry point to discuss challenging topics. Reading fiction about characters who face difficult situations or nonfiction on topics of concern to you and your child opens avenues to discuss important issues. By asking questions, “Do you agree with her decision?” and sharing your feelings, “Wow. That really worries me. How does it make you feel?” you can use the reading as a context to start conversation. 

Reading together is a wonderful opportunity for family bonding. Many people still remember the cozy feeling of reading with their parents as young children.  Why should older children and their parents have to give that feeling up? Your child might be too old to sit in your lap, but they are certainly not too old to enjoy the warmth and joy of reading a good book with a parent.

Start reading to your older kids today, and start making happy memories to last a lifetime.

NEXT BLOG POST: Reading to Older Kids: Getting It Started and Making It Work