Do You Still Read to Your Grade School Child?

[1xmom]

My dd is 7 and she still enjoys me reading to her, so usually every night we read. A friend of mine (non-AP) made the statement that she needs to just read by herself. Most of the time I do the reading, and she follows along or we take turns. Sometimes my dd doesn't want to read out loud and she just wants me to read. Now sometimes we make reading a game in that I'll start and wherever I stop she has to jump right in. Or she make look for words that are part of her spelling test for the week.

Anyways, when my friend made that statement, I just ignored it. Then I had another friend who felt that after a child reached a certain age, they should not be read to. I am just amazed at how some people put age limits on certain acitivities.

[robin3]

My ds is7 and we still read aloud. He reads out loud to us for 20 minutes a day as homework and also reads to himself. I couldn't imagine NOT reading aloud to him every day! We all enjoy it so much. Also, when he was a baby we had the opportunity to hear Jim Trelease speak at our local co-op preschool. He wrote "The Read Aloud Handbook" and advocates reading aloud to kids until they move out!!! I highly recommend his book. In addition to lots of good info on why we should read to our kids he has great recommendations for good read alouds for all ages.

[JessicaTX]

My oldest is 13 and my youngest is five, and I still read aloud to them =)

[HarperRose]

We read to our 7 yr old and he reads on his own. I think it's good bonding time. Keep reading to her!

[Adele_Mommy]

My dd is 7 and both dh and I read to her every night and other times too. She is a good reader and also reads on her own. Sometimes she reads to us. I will continue to read to her as long as she is willing to listen. I don't see being read to as something you grow out of. Before we had children my dh and I would sometimes read to each other - on road trips or while one was doing something else such as making dinner, or just because it is a pleasant way to share a book.

[shershine]

Yes, definitely and I hope to for many years to come. My dp was regularly reading to his son until a couple of years ago, when he was 13! I used to get a little worried that his ds was depending on that and not reading much on his own (unless it was for school). But now, he's starting to read for his own enjoyment, sometimes his mom has to beg him to put his book down!

[chicagomom]

We still read to our 7.5 yo.

At this age they're learning to read expressively and with proper cadence, so they get a huge benefit from hearing others read. It helps them with pronunciation as well.

English is a difficult language to master.

[mama_ani]

My kids are 19 months, 9.5, 11 and 12 and I read out loud to them almost every day.

[maatmama]

I teach middle school and we were instructed to do a "read aloud" for twenty minutes at the beginning of each period. By listening to higher level vocabulary, it stretches their comprehension (at least that was the research presented to us). Anyway, I find the students are really listening and asking questions. Personally, I will read to my ds until he asks me to stop...I just hope its not when he is in college

[gingerstar]

I still read aloud to my girls, even the older two who are good readers. Our school has reading as its highest priority, and they emphasize to parents the importance of reading to your kids. Yes it is very important for them to read things themselves but read aloud is important too.

[Zach'smom]

Keep reading to your dc!! It is important for her to read to herself, but it is also important for you to read to her. Never stop! You have such a wonderful thing going with your daughter. Don't let your friend ruin it for the two of you.

Tell your friend she is wrong and give her a copy of Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook.

[Shonahsmom]

I read aloud to dd (almost 8) before bed every single night and I hope to continue to do so for many years. Then she gets in bed and reads independently until she falls asleep.

[Rainbowbird]

Reading to your older child is very helpful and an excellent way to foster interest in new books, learn words and story structure, bond, and just have fun!

Teachers read to their older students all the time. My husband even reads to his 8th graders occasionally! It builds vocabulary, helps to increase knowledge of genres, and teach all sorts of skills as well as build appreciation for reading. I read to my third graders daily and it was our favorite part of the day. Of course, parents don't have to make it into a "lesson"-- just enjoy it!

In fact, research has proven children whose parents read to them are more likely to become proficient at reading than those who don't....I don't have the link but it's well-known amongst educators that kids who are read to at home have a leg up on reading (and many other things, too!)

[Rani]

Ditto what everyone else said...dd is 9 and will occasionally ask me to read to her. Or we read our separate stories silently side by side OR we will partner read...take turns.

Its our special time of day!

[Shonahsmom]

wrong thread

[cottonwood]

Originally Posted by 1xmom

A friend of mine (non-AP) made the statement that she needs to just read by herself. [...] Then I had another friend who felt that after a child reached a certain age, they should not be read to.

That's ridiculous. What is their reasoning, do you think?

[1xmom]

You all are right. It is a part of our bonding time. She loves for me to climb in bed w/her and read. The night just isn't right unless we do have that time to unwind and pick up a good book.

[mammastar2]

One of my favorite things about my seventh grade teacher was when she would read aloud to us from a novel after lunch. I had been a fluent reader since before I began school, and we didn't really do read-alouds at home, and it was just such a pleasure.

Sometimes dh and I read aloud to each other.

It's not like you continuing to hold the handlbars once she can ride on her own - it's about sharing the pleasure of a good book, and reading being more than 'sounding out.'

[ChristineIndy]

I'm 29 years old.

I read to myself all the time . . . . but I still love to be read to!

[transformed]

Your friends are wrong.

My dad and I read together at bedtime until I was about 11 0r 12 and mabye even beyond that.

At some point it was us taking turns reading chapter books but I will never ever forget it.

Keep it up.