Engleski B - 2023. ljeto, reading 3.

Reading aloud

While fewer children start reading in preschool with the help of their teachers, the majority begin reading on their own very easily as a result of their parents reading to them. However, it is not always that simple, and the choice of book or story by the parent is a highly important factor. For reading aloud to be truly beneficial to children, the chosen stories must be interesting, realistic and inspiring for them.

Young children often struggle with concepts that are symbolic or abstract, such as those found in fantasy novels, which are much more popular with teenagers. Complex sentences and length can also sometimes be issues. Stories dealing with familiar, everyday experiences and characters they can relate to are often much easier to appreciate. Such stories also give children something to discuss after a book is finished and often teach them practical knowledge they can apply to their own lives.

To increase vocabulary, children need to come across words that they don’t know. Puzzled by unfamiliar words, children will push themselves to learn because the words are important to the story. When parents or teachers realise they have just read an unfamiliar word, they should avoid explaining the definition right away. By rereading the surrounding sentences slowly, children can be encouraged to use context to work out the meaning of the word. This teaches them not to give up, which is an important skill they can use throughout their reading lives.

When children are encouraged to read what they want, they are motivated to read more. Reading interesting stories aloud can help children develop the desire to read and understand what words have to offer – without pressuring them to learn too many words too soon. With the rise of the Internet and social media, reading skills are more significant than ever before. However, using digital tools too early can discourage reading.