Professional Learning for Busy Educators

Every parent knows that it's good to read to kids when they're little. It helps babies, toddlers, and preschoolers develop spoken language, recognize letters and words, and get ready for kindergarten. But it's actually beneficial to read to kids even after they can read on their own. Research shows that continued reading aloud after age 5 (and well beyond) improves reading and listening skills and academic performance (and is also loads of fun!).

According to Scholastic's 2016 Kids & Family Reading Report -- a national survey of children age 6 to 17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around books and reading -- 59 percent of parents read to kids from birth to age 5, but only 38 percent read to their 5- to 8-year-olds, and a scant 17 percent keep reading to kids age 9 to 11. Yet most kids age 6 to 11 (and most parents) report that they enjoy read-aloud time. Everyone loves a good story, whether it's in the form of a paper book, an ebook, an audiobook, or even a podcast.

Find suggestions for great family-tested reads on our list Amazing Read-Aloud Books for Older Kids. And for even more ideas, see our lists Read-Aloud Books and 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12.

Here are 10 key reasons to keep reading aloud to older kids:

Making a non-holiday December read aloud books list was more challenging than I expected! As you will see below this list is not entirely holiday free, but you will find that no matter what December holiday you celebrate, all of these December books will fit into your winter reading list.

"I want The Three Bears!"

These days parents, caregivers and teachers have lots of options when it comes to fulfilling that request. You can read a picture book, put on a cartoon, play an audiobook, or even ask Alexa.

A newly published study gives some insight into what may be happening inside young children's brains in each of those situations. And, says lead author Dr. John Hutton, there is an apparent "Goldilocks effect" — some kinds of storytelling may be "too cold" for children, while others are "too hot." And, of course, some are "just right."

Hutton is a researcher and pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital with a special interest in "emergent literacy" — the process of learning to read.