Parents and literacy : the importance of reading aloud to children

Parents are vital to their children's emerging literacy. Reading aloud to children offers parents opportunities to extend their child's knowledge about reading. A review of professional literature suggests that reading aloud provides children with reading role models, positive attitudes towards reading, a sense of story, improved listening abilities, exposure to different language patterns, concepts and related vocabulary, exposure to the rhythm and sound of language, book handling abilities, and knowledge about print format. The Take Me Home project provides parents with access to quality literature and related activities to enhance the family's read aloud experience. Packets have been developed with a pamphlet summarizing ten important read aloud benefits, a children's book with an accompanying audio tape, and suggested literature experiences. Each packet emphasizes a different benefit of reading aloud.