What is Reading Aloud?

Reading aloud builds a foundation for literacy. Reading aloud involves children in reading for enjoyment and provides modeling of fluent reading. Children can respond to pictures and text, while the reader provides full support for them to assess the meaning of the story. Reading aloud to children widens their horizon and understanding about books and the written language. Children develop a sense of story, increase vocabulary, and learn how texts are put together. Children do not have to take responsibility for the mechanics of gaining meaning; instead, they are simply able to experience the satisfaction of obtaining meaning from reading. This will help establish a desire to become fluent readers.