Reading aloud is different than reading silently. Students need both skills.
The Difference
Reading aloud is a different skill than reading silently. Children should actively engage in development of both. They can read aloud while a parent is cooking, ironing, stitching, or any task that involves staying in one place fairly quietly.
Listening while your child reads aloud gives you an accurate assessment of the child's reading ability. You can predict words they stumble on and often help the student figure out a word without ever seeing the print. Children learn to understand the patterns of language and phonetics of language from your ability to help decode words from across the room.
Time spent together enjoying literature helps you develop a more complete picture of your child, including his interests, emotions, and abilities. You will both come to value literature and each other more fully.
Reading Aloud
Classic literature is a good beginning point for selecting books to read together. There are books published that are lists of excellent read-aloud selections, such as The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Your child's age an level of reading need to be considered when selecting a book for him to read aloud. Don't forget the value of your reading aloud to your child as well. Taking turns with chapters or books is a good way for both of you to be involved.
Some students find that hearing the words out loud, even if they are the one reading those words, helps them comprehend and remember the content read. Discuss reading with your student. Help him understand why we read, that everyone reads words throughout their life, and how many doors are open to readers. Find out if your student has difficulty and if so, explore ways to improve their reading situation.
Check out the web site Lexile
for a parent guide, online assessment of your child's reading level, and suggested books appropriate for their reading skills. Using tools like this regularly will keep you in tune with your child's reading progress.
Reading Silently
Sometimes it is nice to just sit quietly with a book and read. No report. No questions to answer. No reading aloud and discussing. Just reading for enjoyment.
We want our children to seek out these quiet moments, so sometimes it is best to leave them alone to quietly read for entertainment. Some families rank reading up there in importance with assigned household jobs and treat reading time as a requirement. Others set aside a quiet time each evening as part of a winding down from the activities of the day. However you can fit it into your schedule, reading benefits every member of the family, including you as a parent.
Guidance for your child
Sometimes we get busy with daily activities and think sending our child to school will adequately address all his learning needs. Don't let the hurry of every day make you lose sight of the fact that parents are, first and foremost, their child's teacher. Influences a child receives at home will far surpass those from school. Use that influence to guide your child toward a lifelong love of reading, both aloud and silently.
