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The Read Aloud Project is a day of action that shows how important and beautiful reading aloud is. Regular reading aloud not only creates closeness, but also supports children in their development. Children who are read aloud daily have a larger vocabulary and learn to read and write more easily.

 

Reading aloud is a wonderful, communal experience. Regular reading aloud also supports children in their development. Children who are regularly read aloud have a greater vocabulary than their peers without reading experience. They learn to read and write more easily, on average bring home better grades and have greater educational opportunities.

 

Young children first encounter literature through reading aloud. They hear how literary language sounds and unconsciously record their narrative and language patterns. These help them later to understand and interpret texts more easily.

 

Stories stimulate children's imagination and promote their creativity and ability to express themselves. They offer opportunities for discussion on everyday and fundamental topics. They enable the processing of worries and conflicts and the experience of completely new worlds, especially in familiar surroundings.

 

Reading aloud means being together and experiencing stories together, it offers children closeness and attention. It is just as important that mummy, daddy, grandmother, grandfather or another person takes time to read aloud as the fairytale princesses, superheroes and courageous girls in the stories read aloud.

 

1 - Take your time and rest.

Reading aloud means spending time together and being there for each other. Therefore, make sure that you have a relaxed reading aloud atmosphere. Choose a favourable moment in your daily routine. This can be before going to bed, after lunch or before doing your homework. A cosy place is also worth a lot when reading aloud. And if you are not reading a digital book or looking at a picture book app together, switch off your mobile phone and TV during the reading time.

 

2 - Choose books together with your child.

Read out what your child and you enjoy. Children have different interests. So let your child choose the reading book - at home, in the bookshop or the library. And be patient if your child wants to hear the same story again. "Once again! - that's a good sign that you're doing everything right. If you have several children, let them take turns selecting your reading books.

 

3 - Read aloud vividly.

You don't have to be a reading pro to read a book or tell a story. But a few little tricks can help you make stories a living experience: Speak loudly and clearly. Vary your voice and use facial expressions and gestures as you please. Keep making eye contact with your child while reading aloud, and pause for a moment while reading aloud to create tension.

 

4 - Involve your child in reading aloud.

Reading aloud is not a one-way street: you and your child experience a story together. Therefore, give your child time to develop his or her own thoughts and to ask questions while reading aloud. Ask questions yourself and encourage your child to be creative: For example, how could the story end differently? Follow the questions together and let conversations develop. Reading aloud is a chance to talk to your child about everything that concerns him or her.

 

5 - Read aloud in your own language.

Read to your child in the language you speak best. This can be English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil or another language. You and your child decide whether, for example, you want to read a picture book in English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, or any other language. It doesn't always have to be a book: even invented stories are fun and encourage children's imagination, expressiveness and creativity.

 

6 - Read regularly.

Children like rituals, because they give them security and make anticipation possible. So read it out regularly: best every day. The best way to find out how long these reading rituals last is to work with your child. Regularity is important, because even five minutes of reading aloud per day have a positive effect on your child's development. Reading aloud also supports your relationship with your child by giving him time, closeness and attention.

 

7 - Don't stop reading aloud.

There is no age limit for reading aloud. Children who can already read may also enjoy reading aloud rituals. Therefore, read to your child even if he or she can already read by himself or herself. Joint storytelling experiences know no age limit. Even teenagers and adults like to listen - perhaps even your partner, mother or boyfriend.