One of the favorite parts of my day is cuddling up with my boys and reading a chapter or two to them from a good book. I like to use this time as a pre-nap wind down. Some days we all cuddle on the couch, others I read while the boys play quietly. Some days we read from a chapter book other days we pick two or three short picture books to read. The one thing that is similar in every session is the benefits that my newborn, toddler, and preschooler receive from our reading time. 15 Classics to Read Aloud to Your
How does reading aloud benefit my child?
Reading aloud to you children benefits them in so many ways. Here are just a few:
*reading aloud to your child can help them to have higher literacy and a better vocabulary
*reading aloud to your preschoolers helps them to learn new ways to communicate their emotions and needs
*reading aloud to your kindergartner can be a good way to have some one on one time
*reading aloud to your children gives them a broader base of knowledge
*reading aloud can help your child through times of stress
*reading aloud to your child helps them to learn how to read
*reading to a nonverbal child helps them to learn words and language skills
*reading aloud can be great cuddle time
*reading aloud to your child broadens their view of the world and gives them new ideas to think about
*reading aloud to your child can be a great time to work on sitting still and listening
What should I read aloud to my child?
You can read anything that you want to them, whether it is a picture book, or chapter book, that is up to you. I prefer reading classic literature aloud to my boys because they have richer vocabulary, and I like that these books have stood the test of time.
Here is a list of read aloud classics that your children will love. {For some of these you will want to look for The Great Illustrated Classics versions as they are more suitable for younger listeners.}
History:
The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
The Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley
Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Animals:
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
White Fang by Jack London
Adventure:
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Boxcar Children Series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
This list is only the starting point. Visit your library, let your child pick some books, and set out on an adventure together!
What are some of your favorite classic children’s chapter books?
Also check out some of our favorite quotes from children’s book.
My kids love being read to and reading aloud to them is such a fun way for me to spend time with them. My kids are gamers and typically prefer playing video games with their dad. I love when they chose to snuggle up with me for storytime!
It’s nice that your children will have memories of special time with both mom and dad. I remember lots of afternoons and evenings spent listening to my mom read.
This is a great list. I love reading aloud to my boys too. My husband reads chapter books to our kindergartner, but I haven’t tried it with my younger twins. I think I will and see what happens. Great suggestions!
We started reading chapter books to the boys around the age of 18 months. It originally was just to calm them for naptime, but it worked so well we kept on.
These are some great suggestions! I look forward to reading longer books with my now two-year-old when she gets older.
Go ahead and start now! She might not like it at first, but I think she would enjoy it after a bit. Chapter books with lots of pictures are some of the best to start with, that’s one of the reasons that the Great Illustrated Classics books are some of my favorite.
Omg what a great list of books! I’m going to have to pin this to keep in mind do when my princess gets a tad bit older
Awesome! I hope you enjoy some of these together!~
So many great books. I’m so excited to read the Little House books to my girls.
The Little House series is one of my favorites as well! I love pioneer history/stories.
ooh! totally pinning this. i have a kindergartener so this is perfect!
I definitely want to read The Chronicles of Narnia and Treasure Island to my son!
Wow! Such a great list! A lit of them are childhood favourites if mine especialy The trumpet of the swan which was my first novel i read when i was in sub B : )
I read to my kids often (5yo and 3yo), but we read kiddies books with lots of pictures. I will see how they take to me reading chapter books : )
I love Trumpet of the Swan! I read it many times growing up and can’t wait to read it to my boys! It is on our book shelf just waiting it’s turn..we’re in the middle of the Little House series right now.