Why Read Aloud?

When I taught 2 grade, there was a big poster on my wall that listed the 10 Ways to Become a Better Reader:

It is really simple!  If we want our children to be good readers, we have to spend time every day reading to them.  At the very least, children should be read to at least 15 minutes a day.  Reading aloud fosters their language development, literacy skills, brain development, knowledge and so much more!  Most importantly, the time we spend reading aloud to children allows for quiet time and bonding between adults and children.

A pediatrician advised one of my parents that the single most important this she could do to prepare her son for school was to read aloud to him every day. I know that, as a mom, there are nights that I would rather just tuck my kids into bed after a long day and have a few minutes of peace to myself.  I always try to remind myself that these 15-20 minutes every day add up and the benefits will be numerous.

I recently presented a workshop to other day care providers and preschool teachers about how to pick the perfect picture books and use them effectively in their classrooms.  When I talk about picture books, I mean any book that is geared for young children (ages 8 and under).  These books have illustrations that support the story as much as the text.  They might be board books, paperback books, big books or books on CD.  If the pictures are important, they are picture books!

The School Library Journal published their picks for the Top 100 Picture books.  I love this list!  My very favorite book is #2.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the first book I remember learning to read.  When I told my kindergarten teacher that I could read it, she invited me to sit in her big chair and read it aloud to my classmates.  In that moment, I knew two things for certain: 1) I would be a reader and 2) I would be a teacher.

Check back here in the coming days to find ways to use picture books in the preschool classroom so that children will develop a love of books and reading, and so that they will also develop important early comprehension skills.

What is your very favorite picture book?