8 Reasons to Add Reading Aloud to Your Homeschool Routine

Over the course of 18 years of homeschooling, I have read hundreds of great books aloud to our children (thanks to Sonlight Curriculum’s wonderful book selections!) If you have a family who loves to read together, you know how listening to quality books can boost more than academics. But if you haven’t quite gotten around to scheduling the read alouds yet, here are a few reasons to add it to your homeschool routine.

1. Reading aloud strengthens the family bond.

The togetherness that reading to your children affords is like nothing else. Squeeze onto the couch, grab a blanket, a stuffed animal or two, and get your character’s voices ready, because you’re about to dive into a whole new world together! Your kids will never forget these moments.

2. Reading aloud encourages the reluctant reader.

Probably nothing helps a struggling reader more than hearing a book enthusiastically read to them. As they listen and feel the emotions of the character, travel where the character travels, as well as see their parent’s appreciation for good books, reluctant readers eventually find that these moments help build the foundation of their own love for reading.

3. Reading aloud promotes empathy toward others.

One of the most important ways reading aloud impacts children (and parents) is in how empathy is inherently learned. We step into the character’s shoes, go through situations we may never experience otherwise, and feel what the character is feeling. We learn a whole plethora of hardships and emotions exist besides our own.

4. Reading aloud inspires imagination and creativity.

There is nothing like listening to a story and seeing the scenes take place in your mind’s eye. As children imagine whole new worlds and characters when they hear a chapter read to them, they are likely to be inspired to create stories of their own. Who knows? Your child may be a novelist in the making.

5. Reading aloud encourages further investigation.

Warning! Be prepared for endless discussion, googling, and searching the library for more books on interesting topics that arise from read alouds. Good books not only inspire imagination but also create a hunger for more knowledge.

6. Reading aloud boosts confidence to solve problems.

Just about every book has a problem and a solution sewn into the plot. The great thing about children’s stories is that children are usually the main characters solving those problems. As children see how young people like them work through a story’s obstacles, it boosts their confidence to figure out their own situations in real life.

7. Reading aloud builds vocabulary.

Since read alouds are usually more challenging to read than grade level readers, children have the opportunity to hear words they may not be reading on their own yet. New vocabulary words and their meanings are quickly learned just by listening to stories and inferring their meaning. And if they don’t quite understand, inquisitive kids are sure to ask, What does that word mean?

8. Reading aloud provides a knowledge base of other countries and cultures.

One of the best outcomes of a great book is the opportunity to learn about other people. Listening to stories from other countries, historical time periods, and about others who are different from us is vital to our understanding of the world, its geography, its history, and the vast array of differences and similarities worldwide.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a good book and gather your children around for an adventure. These moments are treasures and worth every effort to schedule it into your homeschool routine.

Happy reading!

I hope this post was encouraging to homeschool parents! Let me know in the comments if you read aloud to your children regularly. How has it enriched your family and homeschool?

And if this post encouraged you, please pass it along to someone else 🙂 Don’t forget to visit my other posts for more encouragement in homeschooling and everyday Christian living.

Anna De Lay

I am a wife, homeschool mom, musician, and songwriter; but most importantly, I am a daughter of the King. My heart’s desire is to draw closer to God and bring other people with me! Truly, there is no greater joy.