How School Library Media Specialists Can Assist You:
Reading with Your Children
How to Read Aloud to Your Child and Why It's Important
According to the Family Literacy Foundation, the many benefits of reading aloud with children are:
- Children's self esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
- Children experience increased communication with parents and other family members.
- Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
- Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory, and language skills.
- Children develop imagination and creativity.
- Children learn information about the world around them.
- Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs, cats, or cars.
- Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
- Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
- CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING!
Websites about Reading to Your Child
Reading Aloud: Tips for Parents and Teachers 
This website has a collection of resources that explain how to read aloud and which stories to select for young children, children, and teenagers.
Reading is Fundamental: Reading Aloud
Research shows that reading aloud to your child is the number one indicator of how well your child will read; this website includes information and tips about reading aloud.
Books about Reading to Your Child
Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
Mem Fox
The Read-Aloud Handbook, 6th ed.
Jim Trelease
Developing Early Literacy
National Institute of Literacy
Literacy Begins at Home
National Institute of Literacy
Booklists of Books that Children Love
Hedgehog Books
Experienced teachers have organized lists of great read aloud books for children from pre-K to 8th grade.
Great Books for Kids
The American Library Association has compiled lists of books and grouped them by age. These books make excellent presents and provide the perfect excuse for reading with the children in your life.
ALSC 2009 Notable Books
Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, or outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways. Books that win the Newberry and Caldecott Awards are automatically included in this list.
Monster Librarian
This website for children 12 and younger recommend scary stories for children to read.
S.T.E.M Booklist for Kids and Teens
This website lists books that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math for middle and high school students.
YALSA Booklists & Book Awards
The Young Adult Library Services Association provides a one-stop shop for information and suggestions about your teen and reading. This website includes teen award winners and books that teens will love. This website is geared towards children.
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