By Sarah Ostergaard
Picture this: a parent curled up on the couch with a child, book in hand, reading about talking animals or far-off lands. Now picture a high school English teacher reading the opening chapter of a classic novel to a roomful of teenagers (or an American Government teacher reading historical accounts of the founding of our nation, etc.). Whether it’s a family member or teacher reading aloud to a young person of any age, something powerful is happening — minds are opening, connections are forming, vocabulary is growing, creativity is sparking, and a love of learning is taking root.
Reading aloud isn’t merely a sweet tradition for toddlers; it’s a lifelong tool for learning and connection. Research consistently shows that hearing text read aloud benefits listeners of all ages, from preschoolers discovering words to older students grappling with complex ideas. Words, ideas, and connection are shared and remembered through the simple act of experiencing a book together.
No time to read aloud? Check out an audiobook from the library for listening together on the go. The Libby app is fantastic.
For young children, the advantages are clear and well-documented. Listening to stories, fiction or nonfiction narratives, exposes them to a richer vocabulary than everyday conversation. Words like “astonished,” “magnificent,” or “ancient” might not come up in conversation, but they appear naturally in stories. This exposure builds language skills that lay the groundwork for strong reading comprehension later. Studies have shown that children read to daily may hear millions more words by age five than those who are not — a difference that can significantly shape their academic trajectory.
Listening to stories also develops attention span and concentration, essential skills for school success, and piques creativity. Just as important, the shared experience of reading aloud creates emotional bonds. Children begin to associate books with warmth, security, and joy.
Older students also benefit from hearing stories with rich vocabulary and concepts in important ways. When an adult reads aloud, students hear fluent reading modeled — including pacing, tone, and expression – in addition to vocabulary words. This auditory experience also allows them to access material beyond their independent reading level. A 10th-grader struggling with complex historical texts, for example, can still engage meaningfully when hearing historical fiction, or narrative nonfiction, read aloud. Hearing stories read aloud also creates a shared literary experience that strengthens connections, as well as comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy — skills that serve students in school and beyond.
So how can parents and teachers make the most of this practice? Start by making it a routine — maybe ten minutes in the evening at home or the first ten minutes of class at school. Choose engaging material that’s challenging and interesting, and read with expression to bring the text alive. Mix genres — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, even news articles — to keep it fresh. For older students, consider letting them select the book or take turns reading aloud themselves.
Invite listeners to predict what happens next or reflect on a character’s choices; a shared story can open communication among family members. Often, teens are reluctant to open up but a character may strike a chord and ease conversation into topics of communication otherwise left unsaid.
Regardless of age, the benefits are clear: reading aloud to young people builds vocabulary, deepens comprehension, and fosters connection. So tonight, pick up a book (no-cost from the local library.) or borrow an audiobook from the library app and share it out loud together. The story you tell may echo in a mind — and a heart — for years to come.
