«Please never stop reading aloud!»
In keeping with Swiss Read Aloud Day on 26 May: Three questions for Barbara Jakob about the importance of reading aloud.
Mrs Jakob, how long should you read aloud? At some point, children read for themselves.
As long as it's good for both sides: Please never stop reading aloud! Reading aloud fosters relationships, increases vocabulary, stimulates the child's imagination - reading aloud is valuable for children and parents on so many levels. What you mustn't forget is that reading by yourself is very exhausting for children, especially at the beginning. There is the so-called first reading slump in the third or fourth grade, which is the transition from simply reading individual sentences to longer books with many pages. By reading aloud to the child and relieving them of the task of decoding the letters that they would have to do when reading on their own, you help them to get through this tricky phase and strengthen the entire reading process.
Many children insist on hearing stories in dialect. What exactly is the difference between reading aloud and telling a story?
Basically, I would always start with the child. If the child wants to hear the story in the family language, then it's often in dialect, and that's perfectly okay. With freer storytelling, you are closer to the everyday language, the familiar language. When reading aloud in standard German, we are closer to the literary language. Both forms are valuable. For example, one of our children wanted us to read to him "properly" from a very early age. For him, the right way meant: the way we do it with his older siblings, namely in standard German. It varies from child to child.
Many like to read aloud. But there are also people who don't like reading aloud or don't know how. What then?
I think you shouldn't pretend and remain realistic. What is part of our everyday family life and what is not? Maybe it's worth thinking about why you don't like reading aloud. Many parents sit down with their child in the evening and tell them what they have experienced during the day. These are also stories that are important for everyone involved. And: whether you read aloud quietly or with lively facial expressions, the main thing is that you and your child are happy.
On the SIKJM website you will find more tips for reading aloud together and exciting books for all ages. www.sikjm.ch
More about reading aloud:
- We asked around the editorial team and publishers: these are our children's favourite books to read themselves or to read aloud .
- "There's a treasure hidden between two book covers"
Reading expert Franziska Weber emphasises the many positive effects of reading aloud. Nevertheless, she says: Nobody should force themselves to do it.