How Chapter Book Read Alouds Benefit Little Kids

My memories of growing up don't include being read too often by my parents. In fact, I only remember ever being read ONE book, that book was Potato Talk ! I heard it many, many times, complete with voices, but I only remember that single book, a picture book.

Despite that, I love reading.

I would rather stay home and read then go most anywhere.

I wanted my kids to feel the same, so I have always made a point of reading to them. Of course, when they were very young we read lots of picture books. Picture help them understand the words more and they hold their attention.

But, when my oldest was 4 years old, I started reading my kids Big Books. What I mean by Big Books are longer chapter books. This was a foreign concept to me as I was only read chapter books at school.

Well, I loved the idea of being able to share books I enjoy with my kids. Plus, we are homeschooling, so guess what, we read chapter books aloud at home.

Really, even if you aren't homeschooling, I would like to encourage you to read chapter books aloud to younger children.

No, they don't understand all of it.

No, they don't have the attention span to sit through as much as you may want to read (especially if you enjoy reading).

So why would you want to go to the trouble of reading Big Books aloud? 

Benefits of Reading Chapter Books to Young Children

1. Big Books introduce new VOCABULARY to little ones. 

It always amazes me how much of a story kids will listen to when they don't know all the words. They still understand what is going on too; just ask them! My girls frequently will ask what a specific word is while reading, and even if they choose not to ask at the time, they have been introduced to it. They have now heard the word and heard it used in proper context. Next time they hear it, it will not be completely foreign to them.

2. Big Books also increase exposure to new and different SITUATIONS. 

The first big book we read was The Tale of Despereaux (guess I was a bit over zealous with a 3 and 4-year-old). We encountered prison, neglectful, abusive parents, and parental death; as well as forgiveness. We encountered a lot of complex situations that they have not dealt with in a safe home environment where we could discuss anything that needs to be discussed.

3. Big Books help build RELATIONSHIPS.  

If you are spending so much of your time with your child reading and discussing important aspects of the book, you can't help but build the relationship you have with your child. All that discussion can help instill values and good character traits in them too.

4. Big Books help improve your child's ATTENTION SPAN. 

Maybe at first your child won't sit for a long period of time, but if you find a book that interests them they will start. I know when we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory we got through half the book in the first sitting because the girls were that interested. The more you do it the longer they will pay attention. Not sure they are paying attention? Ask them what is happening or to draw you a picture of what they remember.

5. Big Books help improve your child's IMAGINATION. 

Unlike television, movies, or even picture books that show kids exactly what things look like, big books make them imagine it.  Few pictures and usually black and white pictures mean they have to see the picture in their mind. .They have to imagine the scene the author is describing, the sounds, the smells, the colors.

Now you are thinking, I can see the benefits of reading Big Books to my kids, but how in the world will I find the time.

 I totally get it. You have school, work, housekeeping, and they want to eat every single day! 

How to Find Time to Read to Your Kids

Here are the times we have found will work. Obviously, we do not do all of these every day, but we usually pick one time and use it even if it gets us through just one chapter.

1. BEDTIME!  Obvious, and many of you are probably already reading before bed. Just read a chapter of a big book instead of a picture book. Easy!

2. During a BATH! Yes, if you are still giving your little ones a bath, take advantage of the time to read them a big book.  They can't go anywhere, but they don't have to sit still and listen either. They can listen and splash around at the same time.  Older kids may even enjoy audio books if they are taking a bath.

3. In the CAR! Everyone can enjoy big books in the car. Many libraries have audiobooks that you can check out or here is a 

4. At MEALTIME! Are your kids slow eaters? Mine are! If you finish your food first you can read to them at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Why not use the extra time and keep them amused (and not playing with their food).

5. While CLEANING! This is actually our favorite because it makes something my girls don't enjoy much more enjoyable.  So they pick up their toys while I read to them. This is actually helpful for my oldest as she is quite fidgety anyhow. She still won't sit for books (at almost 6); she wiggles and squirms and stands and wiggles some more. Cleaning gives her something to do while listening.

So now you know why and when to read Big Books; head to the library and get some! In fact, if you find a copy of Potato Talk grab it too.

We love these Illustrated Story Books too! 

Despite that, I love reading.I would rather stay home and read then go most anywhere.I wanted my kids to feel the same, so I have always made a point of reading to them. Of course, when they were very young we read lots of picture books. Picture help them understand the words more and they hold their attention.But, when my oldest was 4 years old, I started reading my kids. What I mean by Big Books are longer chapter books. This was a foreign concept to me as I was only read chapter books at school.Well, I loved the idea of being able to share books I enjoy with my kids. Plus, we are homeschooling, so guess what, we read chapter books aloud at home.Really, even if you aren't homeschooling, I would like to encourage you to read chapter books aloud to younger children.No, they don't understand all of it.No, they don't have the attention span to sit through as much as you may want to readIt always amazes me how much of a story kids will listen to when they don't know all the words. They still understand what is going on too; just ask them! My girls frequently will ask what a specific word is while reading, and even if they choose not to ask at the time, they have been introduced to it. They have now heard the word and heard it used in proper context. Next time they hear it, it will not be completely foreign to them.The first big book we read was. We encountered prison, neglectful, abusive parents, and parental death; as well as forgiveness. We encountered a lot of complex situations that they have not dealt with in a safe home environment where we could discuss anything that needs to be discussed.If you are spending so much of your time with your child reading and discussing important aspects of the book, you can't help but build the relationship you have with your child. All that discussion can help instill values and good character traits in them too.Maybe at first your child won't sit for a long period of time, but if you find a book that interests them they will start. I know when we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory we got through half the book in the first sitting because the girls were that interested. The more you do it the longer they will pay attention. Not sure they are paying attention? Ask them what is happening or to draw you a picture of what they remember.Unlike television, movies, or even picture books that show kids exactly what things look like, big books make them imagine it. Few pictures and usually black and white pictures mean they have to see the picture in their mind. .They have to imagine the scene the author is describing, the sounds, the smells, the colors.1.Obvious, and many of you are probably already reading before bed. Just read a chapter of a big book instead of a picture book. Easy!2.Yes, if you are still giving your little ones a bath, take advantage of the time to read them a big book. They can't go anywhere, but they don't have to sit still and listen either. They can listen and splash around at the same time. Older kids may even enjoy audio books if they are taking a bath.3.Everyone can enjoy big books in the car. Many libraries have audiobooks that you can check out or here is a great site where you can find free audio books.5.This is actually our favorite because it makes something my girls don't enjoy much more enjoyable. So they pick up their toys while I read to them. This is actually helpful for my oldest as she is quite fidgety anyhow. She still won't sit for books; she wiggles and squirms and stands and wiggles some more. Cleaning gives her something to do while listening.So now you know why and when to read Big Books; head to the library and get some! In fact, if you find a copy of Potato Talk grab it too.

Bonding and teaching

Children’s books are a powerful tool for teaching important values. There are a vast number of benefits to reading to kids, including many that confer lifelong rewards. For instance, reading together allows for quality parent-child time and gives you the opportunity to explain and discuss the story’s key messages. Try asking your child what they took from the story and encourage them to open up about what they didn’t quite understand in the book. Make it clear what the moral of the story was and how this could relate to their own life. This kind of questioning can create wonderful teachable moments for you and your child.

Developing values

Using my own children's book series as an example-- the Just Enough Series-- parents are supported in delving into complex topics such as death, divorce, reproduction, and diversity. These books enhance the theme of openness, staying informed, and demonstrate the values of acceptance and empathy. Books such as these are excellent resources for your child to start learning not only about these complex and challenging topics but how to perceive and react to such themes in real life as a part of their moral development.

Developing empathy allows children to put themselves in another’s place and to better understand their experience. In today’s busy world, it’s important that children learn how to be deeply present to others’ thoughts and feelings. Empathy is key to social and emotional development in most cultures and supported in most religions. Empathy helps children make good decisions that keep their own and others’ best interests at heart.  In other words, empathy helps children connect with our common humanity – protecting us all from prejudice and divisiveness.  

Many children’s books focus solely on social skills development  and how to overcome challenges.  However, in my book What Makes Us Unique?, it also focuses on why it is important to understand and accept that everyone is different and that we should celebrate this uniqueness.  The connecting value to this is empathy, because part of understanding and accepting differences, is that we must have at least some sense of where this person is coming from and appreciate their own diverse experiences; this is part of what empathy is all about. When a children’s book subtly demonstrates empathy within the storyline (or any important virtue for that matter), parents can point it out to their child and explain why it is so important. Books provide opportunities for many teachable moments.