){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
Reading aloud is a great resource to encourage the reading habit since early childhood.
Reading is one of the essential childhood education skills. In previous articles, we have discussed the specific benefits of developing this habit at an early age and maintaining it throughout life. Teaching reading at an early age is a very particular didactical dynamic because the ability to read has not yet been consolidated, but children can listen. In this context, reading aloud becomes a primary precursor tool for the learning of reading.
Reading aloud to children allows them to become familiar with the language, begin to build their understanding, exercise listening, and relate to the experiences of others; all are instrumental skills when they start reading on their own. Simultaneously, it instills in them a taste for stories and strengthens their interest in the reading habit.
Reading a book to a child at first glance seems easy, but what if we do not know what content to choose or we do not have the budget to buy children’s books periodically? Maybe we have pronunciation problems, or do we not consider our voice to have the right voice timbre for smooth and enjoyable reading. Several channels on YouTube, in English or Spanish, can take us out of these predicaments.
If you speak Spanish
For those looking for a simple start and a compendium of contemporary authors with fresh ideas, “El Pupitre de Pilu (Pilu’s Desk)” is a good option. This YouTube channel belongs to an integrated project focused on children’s pedagogy that includes activities, advice, and reading aloud of stories, among other valuable resources. The library contained in the short story section is not very large. Still, it consists of creative authors with titles that touch on necessary and sensitive topics relevant to the stage of childhood, such as gender identity and immigration.
“Cuéntame un Cuento (Tell Me a Story)” has a catalog with more than 200 children’s stories. Several have fundamental didactic purposes, among which are learning to go to the bathroom for the first time or when to go to sleep. The platform consists of content for all ages, from babies to teenagers.
If you belong to a bilingual family, finding two copies in a different language of a single title can be complicated and expensive. Still, some channels offer reading in more than one language, such as the case of “Ms. Loredo Librarie.” To date, it has uploaded 50 videos, of which approximately half are in Spanish and the other in English. The selection includes titles that encourage the value of sharing and tolerance, among other fundamental virtues.
If you speak English
Storytime online, sponsored by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, is one of the most attractive options for reading stories aloud. Each installment features a different celebrity who chooses a children’s book from among their favorite titles to share with the audience. Participants are English-speaking, but several of the videos feature subtitles in Spanish, German, Mandarin, and other languages. Some of the most prominent guests participating in the program are Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Seth Meyers, and Betty White.
Brightly Storytime has one of the largest libraries of all the free services for reading stories. Each week they add new stories read by their authors or illustrators. It has well-organized lists by dates, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Day, or African American History Month. It also includes a list of stories in Spanish or bilingual stories for those who want to enjoy tales in both languages.
PV Storytime is a very peculiar platform, but with high potential for children to relate more closely to reading at an early age. The narratives start with a child’s voice, just like the audience to whom the stories are directed. The lists consist of Christmas stories, Thanksgiving, humor, and more.
The contents mentioned here are resources to do exercises before individual reading and family time. The exciting activity that makes the experience valuable is choosing which stories are the best to share, making memories, and creating an early affiliation to reading. Do you think reading stories aloud is crucial to instilling childhood reading habits? What are your favorite stories? Let us know in the comments.
Translation by Daniel Wetta
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
)