The Read Aloud Factor

Starred review from November 1, 2022

Reading aloud to children expands their vocabulary by a million words before kindergarten, actually changing the shape of the brain. Rajan (Musical Theater in Schools) details how to feed a child's brain with words, language, and interactions. She also explains how to make the most of read-aloud time by choosing the most beneficial books and using technology effectively. Utilizing a takeout menu to learn sight words, reading the same books over and over to increase brain activity, and labeling items around the house are a few of the suggestions given for a biblio-rich home environment. Each chapter incorporates book recommendations, STEAM activities for every age level, and ideas for making cross-connections with art, music, and technology. This work also contains gender-fluid, nonbinary resources to jump-start understanding important topics, such as Black Lives Matter, and it introduces new languages and suggestions for bilingual families. VERDICT A must, chock-full of usable ideas and recommended reads and sure to be a favorite for parents of preschoolers.

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Starred review from October 15, 2022
This overview of the crucial impact that reading aloud has on brain development in infants and young children pairs upbeat text with current neurological findings, attention-getting statistics, relatable anecdotes, and lots of practical advice. Some childhood educators and seasoned parents might think they have this down pat, since reading to kids has been recommended for years, but arts researcher and early-childhood educator Rajan covers new territory as she explores the why, what, when, and how of making reading a daily habit. Her practical advice aligns with current educational trends (social emotional development, STEAM integration), setting the stage for continuing literacy development once children start preschool or kindergarten. She fully embraces technology, explaining how to effectively involve Alexa, e-readers, and various apps to create reading opportunities, and is a big fan of singing and art projects. User-friendly features include offset tips and techniques, bullet points, fact boxes, word lists, conversation prompts, book suggestions, and copious chapter notes. This accessible, entertaining offering can be used as a supplemental textbook for early childhood and literacy education programs, and public library readers will appreciate the author's empathy and tenderness. Everyone should read this book--perhaps even out loud to a child.

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