The National Reading Days are organized annually nationwide to encourage reading aloud to young children who cannot yet read themselves. At Kideo, we also celebrate the National Reading Days. At Kideo, we believe connecting and communicating with children is very important because it promotes language development. Reading aloud is an excellent way to achieve this.
Reading aloud is something I love to do as a teacher. Since acting is one of my hobbies, I can immerse myself in the various roles in the book while reading aloud. By actively reading aloud with voices and varying volumes, I notice that the children remain captivated and respond to the stories being read aloud. Most children become focused and calm when we read a book aloud. It's therefore a wonderful moment of calm for the children after they've been running outside or playing in the group. Of course, there are also children who don't enjoy being read to or find it difficult to sit still and listen. I try to involve these children by having them sit next to me or on my lap. Because the child is a little closer, it's often easier to maintain their concentration!
Reading aloud at Kideo
Reading aloud is something I love to do as a teacher. Since acting is one of my hobbies, I can immerse myself in the various roles in the book while reading aloud. By actively reading aloud with voices and varying volumes, I notice that the children remain captivated and respond to the stories being read aloud. Most children become focused and calm when we read a book aloud. It's therefore a wonderful moment of calm for the children after they've been running outside or playing in the group. Of course, there are also children who don't enjoy being read to or find it difficult to sit still and listen. I try to involve these children by having them sit next to me or on my lap. Because the child is a little closer, it's often easier to maintain their concentration!
My favorite books
In the 2+ group where I work, we have a number of favorite books to read aloud, which we would of course like to share with you!- A House for Harry. A delightful book that explores various dilemmas: grief, losing your home, animals, and games. Picture Book of the Year 2019.
- Liselotje on the Potty. A book that was often read to me as a child. It's a rhyming book. Sometimes the children find it a bit tricky, but the more I read it, the more they enjoy it. Children's attention spans improve the more we read books. This book is also very good for practicing toilet training.
- Where's the Bear? A book about counting and hiding: something two-year-olds are very interested in. They get really excited when we start counting and looking for the bear in the book.
Kideo Talks - the podcast: #4 reading aloud
Reading aloud is often thought to be only suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. However, reading aloud can be done from birth. Our podcast offers fun tips on reading aloud for all ages. Do you have tips for great books to read aloud? Comment on our Instagram post or email us at info@kideo.nl! We're always looking for new reading material. Books discussed in the podcast:- Baby's First Bath Book - Stella Baggott
- Hello animals! - Dick Bruna
- Things That Go - Author Unknown
- Otto the Great, Otto the Small - Tom Schamp
- The Big Five - Bella Makatini & Judi Abbot
- Moppereend - Joyce Bunbar & Petr Hoacek (Picture Book of the Year 2020)
- This Knight Says NO - Lucy Rowland & Kate Hindley
- The Little Museum - Author Unknown
- Little Bear and His Friends - Else Holmelund Minarik