I’ve always been a big reader. I grew up going to the library and bringing piles of books home with me. On vacations, I’d bring more books than there were days of the week; in the pre-Kindle and tablet days, I was worried I’d run out of things to read! So, when I had kids, I knew books would be a big part of their lives.
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From the moment they’ve been born, we’ve read to them, and I saw how fascinated they were, not just with the pictures, but with the story, even books that had minimal words, like Oops by David Shannon. So I figured, we’re reading aloud to them, what could I really learn from The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease?
Turns out, a TON.
This book is a fascinating dive into how reading aloud to our kids sets them up for success in school and beyond. But what I loved about this book is how it encourages reading to our kids not only until they know how to read by themselves, but also once they’re older, even going into high school. There’s research aplenty to back up what the author says, and some wonderful, and inspiring, anecdotes as well.
My kids are still pretty young, age 4 and 2 at the time of this blog post, but the book has already made an impact on how I read aloud to my kids. Here’s how it’s changed a few things in our house…. And how it’s impacting our bond.
Books, books, everywhere!
When kids have access to books, they’re more likely to pick them up and look through them, even before they know how to read. (Another reason to make sure children have access to well-stocked libraries!)
In The Read-Aloud Handbook, Trelease extols all the virtues of keeping lots of print materials handy (he does go into ebooks and how that’s changing literacy, but that’s a topic for another day). That’s why I’ve been working on making sure the kids can find books everywhere, not just in their rooms. They have a shelf in the living room now as well as a pile on the kitchen table. And last but certainly not least, in the bathroom, too.
Listening Ability is Higher than Reading Ability
This was a big ‘aha’ for me. Little Miss has loved two books at bedtime lately — Clever Jack Takes the Cake and The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish — and I was amazed that she loved these books that are geared towards older kids (Kindergarten through Grade 3). But, as the author points out, our children understand a whole lot more than what they are able to read. After a point, board books become too simple.
Now we’ve been making a point of looking not for board books at the library, but ones that have more complex storylines. Her favorites currently?
Fairy tales and adventures, like Falling for Rapunzel and The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas. Character-driven books are some more favorites, like Pete the Cat (which they read a lot at her preschool), Fancy Nancy, and If You Give a Mouse.
One-on-one reading time
Since there’s nearly a three-year age difference for my kids, different books appeal to them. My son adores board books still, as well as rhyming books (like Sheep in a Jeep).
Meanwhile, my daughter is almost ready for chapter books. I read to my son while my daughter is at school, and when he naps or has quiet time, I read to my daughter. Not only do they get their favorite books, again and again, but it’s great bonding time. But what about all the times the kids are home (and awake) at the same time?
But Also Reading Together too
Since listening ability exceeds reading ability, my son still enjoys most of what I read to my daughter too… well, as long as the pictures are bold and interesting, and as long as the story isn’t too long. That means we read pretty much any chance they’re up for it: dinner time is a favorite moment of theirs for books, as is right before bed.
Make Reading Required at Home
In The Read Aloud Handbook, Trelease talks about making reading required even if the child doesn’t quite feel like it, and I rebelled against the idea for a moment. After all, don’t I want my kids to read for pleasure and not because they have to?
But as Trelease points out, “The more you read, the better you get, the more better you get, the more you like it; and the more you like it, the more you do it.” (If this sounds familiar, it’s because Dr. Seuss writes something similar in I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!)
Trelease is right. My daughter doesn’t always “feel” like brushing her teeth, but it’s a necessary part our bedtime routine… as are books. Now my kids come to expect bedtime storytime, and if they don’t feel like choosing a book that night? That’s okay – me or my husband will. And guess what?
Once the story starts, they’re often sitting there paying attention and soaking it all in.
Model Reading Behavior
Kids mimic just about everything they see. So, Trelease says: read in front of them.
I love this advice; a lot of my old hobbies were put on the backburner when I had my first in 2014. For the first couple years after becoming a mom I barely ever read. I think part of me felt guilty for taking time for myself. But as Trelease points out, we, as parents, demonstrate things we want our kids to copy. So why not be reading role models?
Now when I need a break during the day, I’ll read… and my oldest will often ask me about what I’m reading. Not only am I reading more (a great self-care practice!), but my kids see how books can be a wonderful part of daily life. That lesson will not only provide them with hours upon hours of entertainment as they grow up, but will also help them learn too.
Want some extra encouragement to share books with your kids? A lot of libraries are doing a program called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten with rewards along the way. (And if they aren’t, you can help get one started!) I’ll also be sharing our favorite picture books and chapter books here on the blog and Instagram, so stay tuned!
Have you read The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease before? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
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