The magic of reading aloud

Here are my top 05 reasons to read aloud to your babies, toddlers & preschoolers everyday (including tips to bring One Drop, Endless Ripples alive during reading time):

1. It’s FUN!
   Reading books out loud to your young children is FUN...release those serotonins and get happy together for 15 minutes a day. Get creative, play and let the magic of reading together unfold. Become the character using your voice and your actions. When reading One Drop, Endless Ripples play with the active language and the pace of each scene as you read out loud. Be the “raucous rush” of the waterfall. Waltz with the whales. Lighten up and become a snowflake. Be the river or the waterfall or the ocean. Use your breath and body to make ocean or wave sounds. Use the words to guide you but don’t let them limit you. Check out this Read Aloud video to give you an idea. Try it and let me know how your creativity and play can bring this book alive.

2. CONNECT with your child.
   Have you had a busy, stressful day? All the more reason to STOP, PAUSE and PICK UP a book to read out loud. Reading out loud with your child and cuddling up close will bring you both into the moment. Here and now. The active language in One Drop, Endless Ripples will bring you into the moment. Let yourself be taken into each scene. Connect with the story. Connect with the pictures and the scenes. Connect with your child. No distractions. No devices. No chores or to do lists. Your child needs you – fully present for these precious minutes of each day. Besides, it’s FUN!  

3. EXPLORE with your child through the words and the pictures.
   Ask them questions. Let them ask questions. Their curiosity will lead to wonderful exploration and conversations. They will notice many things that you don’t...let them take you on a journey of discovery. Did I mention that exploring is FUN? 

4. LEARN AND DISCOVER together.
   Children’s books will expand your child’s vocabulary. A study by Ohio State University found that young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who are never read to. Source: Ohio State University -Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2019. Through One Drop, Endless Ripples learn about the animals in the scenes or talk about the habitats or talk about water cycles. Talk about what you see and hear when you go on your nature walks and then come back and draw what you see. Sign up to our newsletter for some free resources that can help you explore with your child, like a glossary and One Drop’s Animal Safari. 

5. STIMULATE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.
   90% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 5. Verbal language skills are important not only for brain development but also prepares a child for literacy at school and will prepare them for lifelong critical thinking (especially if they have been encouraged to explore and ask questions.) 

   Make time for 15 minutes a day to read out loud to your children and watch them explore, learn and grow.