Have you read a book with your kids today? You’re not alone. New research shows an uptick in parents reading aloud to their kids—and we love it!
Just in time for the 10th annual World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 1, a new study has found that more parents are spending time reading with their kids. The new Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report: The Rise of Read-Aloud reveals that the percentage of parents reading aloud during a baby’s first three months is up nearly 50% in the last five years. The study also found that the number of six to eight-year-olds being read to five to seven days a week is up seven points since 2016.
photo: Scholastic
While 55 percent of families read aloud five to seven days a week before kids turn six, this percentage declines dramatically as kids get older, despite the fact that research shows read-aloud frequency helps kids ages six to 11 read more frequently.
Created by the nonprofit LitWorld and sponsored by Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day is all about encouraging families to read together both for the literacy benefits and the bonding experience. To celebrate all you have to do is read aloud—or spread the reading love by volunteering to read in your kids’ classroom, local community center or retirement home.
You can also easily help spread the word on the benefits of reading together on social media using #WorldReadAloudDay. You can learn more here.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
Featured photo: StockSnap via Pixabay
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