Read Alouds Matter at Any Age

By Melanie Michel, Lower School Librarian

Storytime is one of the highlights of being a librarian. Perhaps it’s the theater kid in me who loves to perform, but I also look forward to seeing and hearing kids’ reactions to the books I share. Their observations and connections are funny, heartwarming, and often insightful. Students are so receptive to big conversations after listening to a book they connect with. When students first enter library class, I often don’t know how their day has been going. If they are unfocused, listening to a story helps ground them. If they are feeling down, a story cheers them up or inspires them. Similarly, when I’m feeling tired or overextended, reading aloud is this magical cure that energizes me, slows down my thoughts, and allows me to be fully in the present. These moments remind me of the power of reading aloud.

In this post, I’ll share why you should make reading aloud part of your routine. Already eager to jump in? Skip down to the bottom for resources to help you get started.

1. Cognitive Benefits

Reading aloud improves memory retention. Sometimes, our brains wander while reading silently—thinking about a problem from the day or worrying about the future. But when reading aloud, your brain has to focus and process both pronunciation and meaning, making it easier to stay engaged and present. Slowing down allows you to notice things and understand complex texts. According to studies done by psychologist Colin MacLeod, “people consistently remember words and texts better if they read them aloud than if they read them silently. This memory-boosting effect of reading aloud is particularly strong in children, but it works for older people, too”. Read more about what he called the Production Effect here.

2. Emotional Benefits

Reading aloud encourages deep conversations. Hearing a story together creates opportunities for discussion and meaningful learning. The literacy organization, Reading Rockets stresses the importance of including Think Alouds in story time. “By modeling how fluent readers think about the text and problem solve as they read, we make the invisible act of reading visible. Modeling encourages children to develop the “habits of mind” proficient readers employ.” In other words, showing students how to make connections to themselves, other stories, and the world allows them to engage more deeply. Read more about Think Alouds. 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests teaching students to express themselves by giving them stem sentences. Before, during, and after reading aloud, guide the conversation with prompts like “I remember…,” “I learned…,” or “I wonder….” Check out this article for specific examples of using this technique. 

Reading aloud builds confidence. My first graders have made incredible progress in recent months. Sometimes, I’ll ask for volunteers to read aloud. To see how much their confidence and reading has grown since Kindergarten is amazing. We have such a wide range of reading ability in first grade, and yet most are eager to show off their skills in front of the class. I’m always impressed by how patient the other students are when a classmate pauses to figure out a word. And when they finally get it, they feel so proud of themselves. Huge credit to their classroom teachers for creating an environment where they feel safe to take risks.

3. Social Benefits

Reading aloud brings people together and strengthens connections. All ages enjoy being read to. I wrote in an earlier post about how reading together bonds parents and children. Since then, I’ve thought about how reading aloud can bring people together in other ways. 

One of the members of our Grands Club shared that she is in a book club in which they do things a bit differently. At each meeting, they take turns reading the book aloud to the group and then discuss. She said that the group finds it valuable to experience the story in the moment together—plus there’s no prep work before meeting. 

Couples who watch TV shows together might also enjoy the experience of reading aloud to each other. This shared activity is an opportunity for meaningful conversations building humor, mutual understanding, and rekindling connection. You could start with a date to your local bookstore or library to choose a book together. Or introduce an old favorite to your partner.

Some of my older students enjoy visiting the library during recess to read to their friends. A few may curl up in a beanbag chair, while others like to play librarian—one sitting in my chair and the others listening in the story nook.

Consider how you might start weaving reading aloud into your day. It can be a meaningful practice that serves others while also being rewarding for you.

Resources To Get You Started

The E.B. White Read Aloud Award is a list of both picture books and middle grade books that are excellent read alouds.

The Guardian recommends giving picture books as gifts to adults. This list is grouped thematically by topics such as grief, love, parents, poetry/art, and nostalgia.

Many of you are probably already familiar with GoodReads. Nowadays, you can quickly access their book lists (Listopia) without even logging in, which makes searching for a particular interest super easy. Are you into Magical Realism? There’s a list for that. Planning a trip to New Zealand? Look up a list that contains books written about the places you’ll visit. Anxiously waiting for the new season of Stranger Things? (Is it just me?) Type that title of your favorite tv show right into the search bar and browse the list recommendations. 

 The New York Times recently invited readers to “Let us help you find your next book.” 

How about choosing a book from PEN’s “The 23 Most Banned Books of the 23-24 school year”?

One of my favorite picture book authors, Mac Barnett was recently selected as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the literacy charity, Every Child A Reader. I’ll be following along his 2 year journey as he shares with us why “the picture book is a quintessential American art form and deserves its rightful place among the best American literature”. Listen to his inauguration and speech here.