In the good old days, summer holidays were a time of joy and excitement for us kids. Hordes of children would descend on the ancestral home, typically located in small yet scenic towns. The environment offered limitless opportunities for fun, games, and a bit of mischief. We were welcomed with open arms and showered with affection by our doting grandparents, assorted aunts and uncles, and even by faithful family helpers. Leaving to return to the big cities was always difficult, as we knew we were heading back to the less friendly realities of life.
Oral Tradition
Looking back, we wonder how our elders managed to keep us disciplined while giving us the freedom to explore, learn, and have fun. Back then, technology hadn’t overtaken our lives, apart from the occasional transistor radio. So how did they entertain us? The answer lies in our rich oral traditions and, more significantly, in the read aloud practice. Grandparents, in particular, felt it was their duty to pass down stories of valor and humor from the family. Uncles and aunts would enthrall us for hours, keeping our imaginations alive with the power of storytelling.
Reading Aloud From a Book
We can all recall the ghost stories read aloud — whispered at times, depending on the situation — by a particularly imaginative aunt. These moments of read aloud practice made us afraid of the dark, yet those narratives left deep impressions on our young minds. We feared our shadows and sought comfort by holding each other’s hands. Those stories still echo in our minds today because the spoken words, delivered with emotion and modulation, made lasting impressions.
The power of read aloud practice is undeniable. It captivates attention, ignites imagination, enhances language knowledge, improves memory, and builds word-sound awareness. Words spoken aloud have a special way of staying with us for years, creating vivid memories.
The Modern Thought
Experts now strongly recommend read aloud practice for pre-primary children, and modern research supports this view. Reading aloud to children offers the following benefits:
- It builds word-sound awareness, which is critical for comprehensive language development.
- It stimulates both language and cognitive skills.
- It encourages motivation, curiosity, and memory development.
- The more parents engage in read aloud practice, the better vocabulary the child is likely to develop.
- It fosters a positive relationship with books and reading.
- It increases one-on-one bonding time between parents and children.
- It even helps children recover from illness by providing comfort.
- It significantly boosts a child’s chances of success in school.
Above all, the most important benefit of read aloud practice is that it teaches the child the art of listening. This vital skill will serve them in all areas of life, from school and work to social interactions.