Reading Aloud to Your Developing Reader

One of the best things you can do to teach your child to be a confident independent reader is to continue reading aloud to them, even after they start reading on their own. 

When you read aloud to your child you're introducing them to more complex words and concepts than they may be ready to read on their own. Reading Rockets points out developing readers "use knowledge about words to help them make sense of what they're reading. The more words a reader knows, the more they are able to comprehend what they're reading or listening to."  

Help your child build their background knowledge bank by regularly reading aloud to them. It's a great time for your child to hear how a word is pronounced and for you to have a discussion with them about what the word means.  Here are a few books that are fun to share with Kindergarten-2nd graders. 

Fiction

• Jasmine Toguchi: Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence 
• Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishaswami
• My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz
• Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors
• Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban

Nonfiction

• Nothing Stopped Sophie by Cheryl Bardoe 
• Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton
• Grand Canyon by Jason Chin 
• What Do They Do with All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz
• You Can Be an Entomologist by Dino Martins 

Need more? Take a look at our lists of Awesome Picture Books for Older Kids and Chapter Books to Read Aloud.